Big news hit the National Football League on Monday afternoon as sources revealed that the Carolina Panthers had agreed to a record-breaking contract extension with star running back Christian McCaffrey.
The 23-year-old ball carrier will receive $64 million per year over the next four seasons, averaging $16 million annually. That breaks the previous record for a contract for a running back, which was held by the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott.
McCaffrey, who was the Panthers’ first round pick and the eighth overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, broke out with a huge season in 2020. He became only the third player in league history to record 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in a season along with Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk.
The 2019 first team All-Pro selection finished the season with an astounding 1,387 rushing yards, 1,005 receiving yards, and 19 total touchdowns. His dominant season was one of the few bright spots for the Panthers, who finished 5-11 last year.
Now, the team under first-year coach Matt Rhule has one of its cornerstones locked up for the long-term, giving security to a franchise that has seen a lot of changes recently.
McCaffrey and the team are expected to officially announce the deal in the coming days.
