The Carolina Panthers signed Cam Newton to a five year contract extension this week worth $103.8 million and the deal includes $60 million in guarantees for the quarterback, making him the latest player to get an average of $20 million per year and this comes as wideout Kelvin Benjamin is missing some OTA workouts with a hamstring injury.
The Panthers have Benjamin banged up for OTAs and the Charlotte Observer writes that it could give players like Devin Funchess, Jarrett Boykin and Philly Brown the chance to get work with Newton. Funchess comes in as a rookie after being taken in the second round of the draft and he could line up at wide receiver or tight end for the Panthers. ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton writes that Funchess will play wide receiver to start for the Panthers, but he could be moved in the future.
Benjamin is a huge target in the redzone and he showed why with a strong rookie season and now Funchess is going to try and do the same. While at Michigan Funchess had 126 catches for 1,715 yards and 15 touchdowns and that was in a run first offense that did not throw the ball a lot. The Panthers needed a strong option alongside Benjamin and now they have one in Funchess.
The Charlotte Observer wrote last month that Funchess "stood out" in rookie minicamp and with Benjamin limited in OTAs, he could get more chances to prove himself. Funchess is likely a third option behind Jerricho Cotchery and players like Boykin and Brown also could get the chance to contribute this offseason with Benjamin hampered by a hamstring.
Benjamin is missing some OTA practice with a hamstring issues, but the Charlotte Observer writes that he should be fine for training camp coming up in July. Last season Benjamin had a strong rookie year with 73 catches for 1008 yards and nine touchdowns and he also averaged over 13 yards per catch. The Panthers offense needed more depth at wide receiver and Funchess now gives Cam Newton two huge targets in the redzone when the team is on scoring drives.
Newton comes in as one of the best young quarterbacks in the league with his athletic ability and now he is locked up for the future. According to NFL.com, Newton's contract has $67 million over the first three seasons and now he is locked in as the franchise quarterback for the Panthers at the age of 26 after being a first overall pick in the draft. Making the deal more amazing is the fact that this comes after Newton nearly dealt with a serious injury in a car accident this past season in which his truck flipped over.
Newton has progressed in each of the last few seasons and while he has not been the most accurate passer in the NFL, his size and speed making him a one of a kind quarterback. Newton can run over linebackers and also has a great arm and he comes in after putting up 23 total touchdowns last season while passing for 3127 yards passing and over 500 rushing yards. Newton took the Panthers to the playoffs last season and he is hoping to have another big year with Kelvin Benjamin coming back for year two.