The Carolina Panthers’ offensive line took a noticeable leap in the right direction in 2024 after signing Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency last offseason. Second-year quarterback Bryce Young was only sacked 29 times, a significant difference from his rookie season (62 in 2023).
Hunt and Lewis played a role in the Panthers’ improved o-line play, but so did Taylor Moton, who has been one of the key stalwarts on the line for several years. The 31-year-old Moton missed three games last season (two due to a triceps injury), ending his 120-game Ironman streak.
Despite missing two games with a triceps injury and another one in Week 17 because of a knee issue, Moton still had a 79.8 pass blocking (ranked 20th among 141 qualified tackles) and a 66.9 run blocking grade (53rd). The veteran lineman only allowed one sack and was penalized once in 846 offensive snaps.
Heading into the 2025 season, the 31-year-old tackle will be playing on the last year of his deal and has a $31.3 million cap number. Most teams would find a way to lower Moton’s number or try to move him.
However, Panthers head coach Dave Canales still has a lot of confidence in Moton’s skills and loves what he brings to the table.
"T-Mo’s been steady Eddie here for a long time, so we’re counting on him doing that again, Canales said (h/t Joe Person of The Athletic). He still plays really good football,” the Panthers head coach added. “He’s an excellent pass protector. He’s great on the front side of those runs, he moves people. So until those things are not apparent, we love having him."
The Panthers hope that Moton’s knee issue doesn’t linger into next season, which has been a repetitive-use injury, the veteran offensive lineman said in 2023 to The Athletic. If Moton is healthy and the rest of the offensive line builds off their performance in 2024, they should be even better this upcoming season.
Furthermore, the 31-year-old offensive tackle could also be in store for a huge pay raise from Carolina or another team next offseason. However, the Panthers will cross that bridge when it's that time.