Panthers re-work Adam Thielen’s contract

[jb2288]

15 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

I really want a mid round slot WR who is already a route tree, YAC guy WITH PROVEN COLLEGE PRODUCTION. Not a allstar, but a smart, hard-worker. There's always a handful of these guys in the 3rd and 4th rounds that go on to have solid careers.

I have not done the research this year to know who that guy is, but am open to opinions.

We have him already, Coker 

[Icege]

17 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

I really want a mid round slot WR who is already a route tree, YAC guy WITH PROVEN COLLEGE PRODUCTION. Not a allstar, but a smart, hard-worker. There's always a handful of these guys in the 3rd and 4th rounds that go on to have solid careers.

I have not done the research this year to know who that guy is, but am open to opinions.

Some recommended viewing:

• Tory Horton (Colorado State)
• Jaylin Noel (Iowa State)
• Jayden Higgens (Iowa State)
• Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
• Jaylen Royals (Utah State)

[Swaggasaurus]

21 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

I really want a mid round slot WR who is already a route tree, YAC guy WITH PROVEN COLLEGE PRODUCTION. Not a allstar, but a smart, hard-worker. There's always a handful of these guys in the 3rd and 4th rounds that go on to have solid careers.

I have not done the research this year to know who that guy is, but am open to opinions.

Hi, I’m Xavier Restrepo. Nice to meet you.

if we go slot, that’s my guy. Big play slot receiver. Body composition gives him some protection with the contact slot guys get after catch.

[shaqattaq]

8 minutes ago, jb2288 said:

We have him already, Coker 

Man, I really want that to be true. With a full year in the system, I expect him (and XL for that matter) to make a jump in production. 

I said in another post that we still need to add 3 WR's to the active roster. I'll be shocked if we don't grab a mid tier FA and use a mid round draft pick.

[shaqattaq]

11 minutes ago, Swaggasaurus said:

Hi, I’m Xavier Restrepo. Nice to meet you.

if we go slot, that’s my guy. Big play slot receiver. Body composition gives him some protection with the contact slot guys get after catch.

This is exactly what I'm talking about!

Overview

Feisty slot-only target who has maximized his talent and honed his craft. Restrepo is a route chef who reeks of urgency and plays much faster than the stopwatch is likely to time him. His footwork, leverage and burst allowed consistent separation from man coverage on the college level but contested catches await him on the next level. His instincts, blitz recognition and talent to scramble open when plays break down will make him a favorite of quarterbacks and play-callers. Subpar length and average measurables could create some hesitation for NFL evaluators but the play and football demeanor feel translatable as a future starting slot."

Edited March 13 by shaqattaq

[CRA]

35 minutes ago, jb2288 said:

There is always a spot on a roster for a slot receiver that you know will find a way to convert  crucial 3rd and 4 with the game on the line. Happy for AT, he also might have been on the line for retirement and we did this to solidify one more year back. 

AT is a slow sure handed TE dominating the snaps at a spot a Bryce Young O needs YAC and explosive plays from. 

I don't have an issue with AT in a vacuum.  But his presence lowers the offensive ceiling IMO in a trade off for dependability.  Given where we are and where Bryce going to go with the ball I'd rather be developing and growing someone w/ Bryce there. 

Yeah, an old slow WR that missed 7 games and was debating retirement came back for  a check we inflated.  No way that sets up to be bad us.   I'm ready to turn the page.  He doesn't algin with where we need to go IMO w/ Bryce.  

I'm generally ready to move on quicker than others.  I'm often a day early and others a day late. But to me, it's like what you are seeing w/ Kelce in KC.  Him being the centerpiece of an O just doesn't work anymore.  Will AT catch balls this upcoming year and immediately be down? Sure.  Will be complain about his hands? No.  

But I have been consistent on a Bryce Young O if we are going to do it from day 1.  You need YAC guys at the slot and out of the backfield.   Slow and no YAC at this spot  just ain't how to make it work with Bryce IMO. 

[therealmjl]

No one:

Panthers: hey Adam we would like to pay you more money 

[jasonluckydog]

12 hours ago, Aussie Tank said:

It's a culture-building move 

I stated something similar to that in the Thielen thread about him not retiring. I said give the man a good contract with reachable incentives and I was called a moron. 

[Basbear]

So AT even gets a Panthers tax?!?!?

 

I swear I'd be the cheapest owner, fans would hate me...... I get he's played very well while the team has struggled, but Im also fairly sure the Carolina Panther were the only team to offer him 3yr 25 million.....His old team did not even offer him a contract!! Where's that reward for saving him from retirement or playing on Jets for some 1 year 4 million deal?? He's got a family and the queen is the best NFL environment for that going. Kupp is younger, what about.........ugh, getting nasty..

 

Now excuse me, Im behind in my scheduled rubbing my hands... 

Edited March 13 by Basbear

[frankw]

He's turning 35 this summer. AT being the most reliable WR on the team isn't a good thing. People can bloviate about building culture (honestly nothing more than cringe at this point btw) with moves like this but we were one of if not the worst teams in the league last year at certain points. I mean we've been on the phone fairly desperate with both the Seahawks and now the Bengals trying to negotiate a deal for something younger and better.

[Basbear]

14 minutes ago, frankw said:

He's turning 35 this summer. AT being the most reliable WR on the team isn't a good thing. People can bloviate about building culture (honestly nothing more than cringe at this point btw) with moves like this but we were one of if not the worst teams in the league last year at certain points. I mean we've been on the phone fairly desperate with both the Seahawks and now the Bengals trying to negotiate a deal for something younger and better.

 

I've been non-stop posting about Panthers needing a pass catcher, even before FA. It's a huge problem when the most feared player is a 35 year old former UDFA tossed aside by his home team, that's your best receiving option???? No wonder Panthers barely won 5. 

They need to draft either tmac at 8th, or the best pass catching TE leftd at 57. 

It's been the top need. I tried that others don't see the issue. You can still "fix"/invest in the defense with the remaining 7-8 picks in a deep defense filled draft. Panthers need starting level TE or WR, not some 4th rounder prayer.

Others people need to pray everyday that Coker and XL become legit players. I have doubts and what to stack the odds for the future, this is the year to do it.  

[jasonluckydog]

On 3/13/2025 at 3:36 PM, jasonluckydog said:

I stated something similar to that in the Thielen thread about him not retiring. I said give the man a good contract with reachable incentives and I was called a moron. 

 

 

Read my comments if you're bored 

[jfra78]

8 minutes ago, jasonluckydog said:

 

 

Read my comments if you're bored 

I'm not bored enough to read it, but I am bored enough to comment 

[WhoKnows]

11 hours ago, jasonluckydog said:

 

 

Read my comments if you're bored 

I’m pretty sure I was one of those people although it was because we already had him under contract for 2025. Your suggestion made no sense because he’s either playing for us or retiring/sitting out. He can’t really force our hand because we want him playing with us and we’d get nothing in trade value.

I still don’t get the extra money. He got a signing bonus which is why his salary for this year was “only” $6M but his 3 year deal was $8.3M per year. We already took care of him when he was released as an older player. We gave him the chance to be a key cog and to play for 3 years.

I remember when Gettleman was fired for not being nice to Olsen and we let Hurney throw extra money to him. We got 79 receptions out of Olsen in 2 years after throwing $15M more to him right after he missed 9 or 10 games at 32. It’s a business and we had no reason to coddle Thielen after we gave him $25M and a great opportunity when no one else would.