CHARLOTTE — Taylor Moton has been given contract extensions before.
After his rookie contract, the right tackle was franchise-tagged by the Panthers before signing a one-year deal, which led to a four-year extension. He's been through this song and dance before, knows what to expect, and how the conversations play out between each party.
However, this extension, a two-year extension which keeps the Carolina Panthers' longest-tenured offensive player in the Queen City through the 2027 season, means more than the others.
Because this one means he gets to finish what he started.
"It means that I get to finish my career out here, where I started," said Moton, settling into a chair with the ease that has made him a locker room and fan favorite over the past nine years.
"I love it here. This has been home, obviously, and I just thank this organization so much and Dan (Morgan) for making it happen to help me finish. I started here, helped be part of the change of the winning culture, and just be here to help change the winning culture.
"I've seen so many staff, personnel, players, coaches, I see how much effort everyone puts into making this thing go, and, you know, it's important that I see them get the fruits of all the labor. I feel like the city, all these people, we all deserve to win here. So it's something that I take very personally and something that's very important to me, so we'll see that happen."
The Panthers rewarded Moton with the two-year deal late last week, announcing the news the day after their final preseason game. Within minutes of hanging up the phone with his agent, who let Moton know the deal was done, he began receiving texts and congratulatory messages.
"It was a crazy day for sure," he laughed.
To get to that crazy day with laughter and happy tears, though, took some time.
During the early part of training camp, Moton was asked about the possibility of this being his last season with the Panthers. For the man who made it a practice to focus only on the play in front of him his entire career, it was the first time he'd ever really stopped and considered the idea.
It led to an emotional outpouring that even took him by surprise.
"I just really wasn't ready for that, and you know, I guess it's a lot of emotions over the years that have hit me, and just the thought that it could be really my last year," explained Moton. "All the times I had with all the staff here, all the teammates here, coaches, and just all the experiences just kind of all hit me, and I was like, wow, this could really be my last ride here."
At the time, according to Moton, his camp and the Panthers had not begun negotiations about an extension. It wasn't long after, though, that talks began, and he realized his dream of delivering back to the city that had given him so much.
"I want to do everything I can to help this team get back to the playoffs and back to the Super Bowl, what have you, but where, where do I fit in that?" he posed.
"What can I control about that part of it, my part of it, on a daily basis, so I just have habits of being the best I can be for the rest of the team, for everyone involved, and that's again, all I can control in that and do everything I can to help anyone else along the way I can help with that."
The longtime tackle earned a starting job in 2018 and never looked back, starting every game for the next six seasons. He started all 14 games he played in last season, missing his first three since earning the starting job due to injury. In total, he's started 113 games, playing in 130 (including playoffs) total during his career.
He's a Michigan native and Western Michigan product who was drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft. When he moved to his new home, it was to a host of family.
"So my whole mother's side of the family is actually from Gastonia," the Lansing native explained. "It's actually crazy how much family I have here aunts, uncles, cousins, and I've, you know, I've gotten so close to them over the years being here and I've always felt the love and support from them and, you know, my parents living down here now, my mom being that close to all her family down here, it's been quite a blessing."
Having family embedded in the area made it even easier for Moton to fall in love so quickly. But it's also the found family within the walls at Bank of America that made him want to stay. And as the Panthers put together a stable and productive offensive line room the past year, Moton realized he could go out with the team that drafted him, while playing with one of the best units of his career.
Four of the five starting linemen are under contract through the next two seasons.
"It's a blessing and I love the guys in the room," expressed Moton. "I'm so fired up that I'm going to continue to be able to work with them, along with the coaches, phenomenal coaches in the building, so it's been a great situation and one that's very rare in the NFL."
It's also rare for one player to spend an entire career—especially one that will seemingly span double digits—with one team. But with this extension, that is what Taylor Moton is looking to do—finish out his career with the team that drafted him years ago, on a note that he can be proud of, not only as one of the highest-paid and rated tackles in the league, but as a key piece to a winning program.
"One of the most beautiful things about football, I believe, is, like I said, it's the ultimate team sport. It takes all of us going in the right direction to succeed," Moton said.
"So (being highly rated) is something that I, yeah, I do take pride in, but ultimately, I'm here to help this team win, organization win. Whatever it takes, and I just want to be at my best to make sure that happens.
"I'm very happy to be here. Love all you guys, love the city. This is a blessing, and I want to finish it the right way. So, working to have my best season yet and help this team have the best season since I've been here."
Check out headshots and action photos of the Panthers' initial 53-man roster this season.
This is a 2025 photo of Ja'Tavion Sanders of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Mike Jackson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Rico Dowdle of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
This is a 2025 photo of Sam Martin of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Tre'von Moehrig of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Nic Scourton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Andy Dalton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
This is a 2025 photo of Jimmy Horn Jr. of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Xavier_Legette of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Coker of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Adam Thielen of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Scott of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Lathan Ransom of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Trevor Etienne of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Chau Smith-Wade of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Akayleb Evans of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Corey Thornton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Houston Texans during a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Trevin Wallace of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Princely Umanmielen of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Ryan Fitzgerald of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Demani Richardson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of JJ Jansen of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Thomas Incoom of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Robert Hunt of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of DJ Johnson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Claudin Cherelus of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers host the Pittsburgh Steelers for a preseason game on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Cam Jackson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Houston Texans during a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Christian Rozeboom of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
This is a 2025 photo of Bam Martin-Scott of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Chandler Zavala of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Ausitn Corbett of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Cade Mays of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Damien Lewis of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Brady Christensen of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Taylor Moton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold camp Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Yosh Nijman of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Ikem Ekwonu of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Tommy Tremble of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of David Moore of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold camp on Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025 in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Mitchell Evans of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of James Mitchell of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Houston Texans during a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Brycen Tremayne of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold a joint practice with the Houston Texans Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Pat Jones III of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold camp on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Turk Wharton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of A'Shawn Robinson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Derrick Brown of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Jaden Crumedy of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Bobby Brown III of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of DJ Wonnum of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
