The Carolina Panthers are Luke Kuechly have been reportedly talking about a new contract extension and the linebacker could agree to a deal before the season and this comes as Cam Newton is one of the top fantasy football draft options at quarterback for the 2015 season.
Kuechly has established himself as one of the best linebackers in the game and he is looking to get a new deal. According to the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers and Kuechly have started talking about a deal and the talks are "heating up" as the preseason continues. Kuechly has won rookie of the year and defensive player of the year in his career and Pro Football Talk reports that earlier in the offseason, it was considered "50-50" about whether a deal would get done.
PFT writes that the Panthers GM Dave Gettleman does not like to negotiate deals during the season and that could make Week 1 the deadline for a deal to get done. Cam Newton signed an extension and that came after Newton played four years of ball and now Kuechly is coming into that same area and this will be his fourth season in the league. Bobby Wagner just got a deal from the Seahawks and now Kuechly could be the next player to get a deal from the 2012 draft.
Kuechly has a fifth year option and that was picked up and Wagner did not since he was a second round pick, but the Panthers may still want to get a deal done now. Kuechly has been consistent since coming into the league and the team may not want to take any chances. Kuechly will be a free agent in 2017 and he is making just over $2 million for this season and he is in for $11 million next year with his option. Black and Blue Review reported that the talks with Kuechly will be over when the season starts.
The Panthers worked out deals with Newton and Thomas Davis and now Kuechly should be next in line to get a deal. The team has cap space to use and that could help get the Kuechly contract done. Kuechly comes in after putting up 153 total tackles last season and a career best 3.0 sacks. Kuechly had his best season as a rookie with 165 total tackles and in his career he has seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Kuechly is arguably the best middle linebacker in the league.
Newton is coming in after having somewhat of a down season, but that is why he should be a player for fantasy owners to target. Newton has the chance to bounce back and he could be overlooked by owners and end up as a late round steal. Newton is always a threat to run and can get points that way and the offense should be better with Kelvin Benjamin coming in for year two and Devin Funchess getting drafted. Newton had 23 total TDs last season and he could be one of the best fantasy QBs this year.