With the extension for LB Shaq Thompson wrapped up, the Panthers have apparently turned their focus to their next priority on defense, locking up CB James Bradberry.
Bradberry’s agent and the team have had discussions about a new deal for a player who’s quietly established himself as one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL against the gauntlet of top receivers in the NFC South.
“When (his agent) told me they had talked and we hadn’t quite reached a point of agreement, I pretty much understood I might be heading to free agency or I might get franchise-tagged,” Bradberry said via the Athletic’s Joseph Person. “He just told me, ‘Just be patient.’ We’ve got three games left and you never know what the owner might decide.”
Bradberry says he’s open to playing next season on the franchise tag, estimated at $16.5 million, if necessary.
“That’s a lot of money for one year. I understand Le’Veon Bell, why he sat out. I understand why guys don’t wanna sign it,” Bradberry said. “But I don’t think I’m at liberty to sit out. I don’t really want to sit out and then have the (potential) lockout year. That’d be two years I’d have to sit out.”
Bradberry, 26, is a former second-round pick of the Panthers back in 2016. He’s currently in the final year of his four-year, $3.96 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $990,114 for the 2019 season.
Bradberry is in line to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career next year.
In 2019, Bradberry has appeared in 12 games for the Panthers and recorded 57 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and nine pass defenses.
We have him featured in our Top 50 – 2020 NFL Free Agents list.
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