The Carolina Panthers locked up Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil on Monday, agreeing to a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2018 season. Kalil was entering the final year of the six-year extension he signed with the team in 2011. He is aware that he may be nearing the end of his career, and he plans on doing so with the Panthers.
In an interview on Monday, the center expressed just that, saying "for this organization to give me that opportunity to finish my career here means the world to me. And I couldn't imagine finishing my career in a better place than this franchise."
The team rescinding their franchise tender on cornerback Josh Norman made this extension more of a possibility, and defensive tackle Kawann Short is reportedly next in line to be extended.
The 31-year-old Kalil was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl in the last seven years this past season, and was an All-Pro. Carolina's general manager Dave Gettleman spoke highly of Kalil, saying "on and off the field, Ryan is a pro's pro, and we're all very excited about this."
Kalil has been a team captain the past three seasons, each of which the Panthers have made the postseason. He is well known for buying a full page ad in the Charlotte Observer in 2012 that guaranteed a Super Bowl win. They didn't win that season, but they did make it to the big game this year, falling to the Denver Broncos.
The new contract gives the Pro-Bowler another three years to cash in on that guarantee, and with the team being lead by quarterback Cam Newton, they know it is very much in their reach.
In an interview on Monday, the center expressed just that, saying "for this organization to give me that opportunity to finish my career here means the world to me. And I couldn't imagine finishing my career in a better place than this franchise."
The team rescinding their franchise tender on cornerback Josh Norman made this extension more of a possibility, and defensive tackle Kawann Short is reportedly next in line to be extended.
The 31-year-old Kalil was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl in the last seven years this past season, and was an All-Pro. Carolina's general manager Dave Gettleman spoke highly of Kalil, saying "on and off the field, Ryan is a pro's pro, and we're all very excited about this."
Kalil has been a team captain the past three seasons, each of which the Panthers have made the postseason. He is well known for buying a full page ad in the Charlotte Observer in 2012 that guaranteed a Super Bowl win. They didn't win that season, but they did make it to the big game this year, falling to the Denver Broncos.
The new contract gives the Pro-Bowler another three years to cash in on that guarantee, and with the team being lead by quarterback Cam Newton, they know it is very much in their reach.
