Field Yates of ESPN reports that the Panthers recently converted OT Matt Kalil‘s $10 million option bonus into a signing bonus.
While this move did not create any cap savings for the Panthers or adjust the money being paid out to Kalil, Yates says that it does guarantee he’ll be on the roster in 2018.
Yates explains that this is a win-win for both parties, as Kalil gets an upfront $10 million payment and the Panthers could now recover a portion of this figure if he retires or is suspended. Had they just left it as an option bonus, Carolina could not have recovered any of this money.
Kalil, 28, is a former first-round pick of the Vikings back in 2012. He played out his rookie contract with the Vikings before signing a five-year, $55.5 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed with the Panthers as a free agent last year.
Kalil stands to make base salaries of $1 million (2018), $7 million (2019), $10 million (2020), and $10.5 million (2021).
In 2017, Kalil appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers and is rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 55 offensive tackle out of 80 qualifying players.
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