Running back Christian McCaffrey and the Carolina Panthers have reportedly agreed to a long-term extension. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the player and team have agreed to a new four-year deal that averages $16 million per year. McCaffrey is coming off a historical season and has been a workhorse back ever since arriving in Carolina.
Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey is signing a four-year extension, averaging $16 million per year, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 13, 2020
Carolina Panthers Extend Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey is coming off one of the best seasons by a running back in recent memory. Starting all 16 games and rarely leaving the field, the former first-round pick recorded 1,387 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on 287 carries. As if that wasn’t enough, the running back added on an additional 116 receptions for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors for his incredible work on an otherwise underwhelming Carolina Panthers squad.
McCaffrey initially entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Selected by the Carolina Panthers, some wondered whether McCaffrey had the build to handle a full-time NFL workload. It’s safe to say he’s successfully addressed those doubts. As a rookie, the Stanford product appeared in all 16 games, while making 10 starts. While on the field, McCaffrey recorded 435 rushing yards and two touchdown on 117 carries to go along with 80 receptions for 651 yards and five receiving touchdowns. In 2018, McCaffrey became the unquestioned lead back, recording 1,098 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 219 carries. He remained reliable as ever in the passing game, hauling in 107 passes for 867 yards and six touchdowns.
McCaffrey’s contract extension is just one of many moves the Carolina Panthers have made this offseason. Since the end of the year, the team has traded Kyle Allen, released Cam Newton, lost Luke Kuechly to retirement and James Bradberry to free agency. It hasn’t been all bad, as they’ve also signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and wide receiver Robby Anderson to lucrative contracts.
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