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Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton’s next contract will be huge

By Nick Ziegler

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The Carolina Panthers must be cringing after the money that was given to Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

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Tannehill recently signed a six-year extension through the 2020 season, which is worth $96 million with 45 million guaranteed. The guaranteed money is huge for Tannehill, as he was able to get nearly half of his contract guaranteed.

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In the 2012 NFL Draft, one year after Cam Newton was selected first-overall, the Dolphins selected Tannehill with the eighth overall pick. In three seasons, Tannehill has done well for the Dolphins. In his career, Tannehill has totaled a 23-25 record as a starter, throwing for 11,252 yards and 63 scores with just 42 interceptions.

While Tannehill has been a good pro quarterback, he has never reached the playoffs or made a Pro Bowl. The extension given to Tannehill is another sign of how important a quarterback is to a franchise, as teams will give almost anything to keep one that they think is their key to success.

The large guaranteed money for Tannehill is an indication of what Newton will be asking for in his next contract.

Newton, whose contract will be up after the 2015 offseason could now be looking at a contract extension of well over 50 percent guaranteed. In four seasons, Newton has a 30-31-1 record as a starter, with two Pro Bowl invitations and two straight appearances in the playoffs. This past season, he was able to win his first playoff game, a 27-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the wild card round.

Statistically, Newton has also been better than Tannehill in addition to having more team success. In four seasons, Newton has thrown for 14,426 and 82 touchdowns, with 54 interceptions.

While Tannehill is also a fairly good running quarterback, Newton is one of the best in the league. In his career, Newton has totaled 2,571 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns – averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

The conversation between Newton and the front office of the Panthers will now certainly begin with his guaranteed money being over 50 percent after the deal Tannehill received. The Panthers have to have some concern about Newton’s durability, but if they believe he is the quarterback who can win them a Super Bowl, those concerns will be squashed.

January 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) meets with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) following the 31-17 victory in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Newton isn’t the only quarterback looking for an extension, as the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson are also trying to get a monster deal done.

According to David Newton of ESPN.com, Seahawks’ quarterback Wilson is looking for a deal for around $120 million with a guaranteed money from anywhere from 60-80%.

Wilson has certainly had more success than either Tannehill or Newton, which makes sense that his contract will be for more guaranteed money. The Tannehill extension will also help Wilson along with Newton, as Wilson should get way more than what was given to Tannehill.

Newton’s camp could very well wait to see what kind of money Wilson receives from the Seahawks, and ask for something in between Wilson’s and Tannehill’s contract.

The Dolphins and Tannehill have set the bar for the next batch of quarterback contracts, and that bar is high. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers handle the contract situation with Newton, who will surely be costing them a pretty penny.

Next: Has Newton been worth of the first-overall pick?

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