Rumors regarding the potential retirement of Carolina Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton have been a persistent whisper around the NFL over the past several months. At 31 years old (he turns 31 in August 2025) and entering the final year of his current contract, coupled with some recent injury setbacks, speculation about his future has naturally intensified. However, in a recent interview with Joe Person of The Athletic, Moton directly addressed these rumors, offering clarity on his intentions and providing reassurance to the Panthers fanbase.
Moton’s message was unequivocal: he believes he has “another contract in me” and is not contemplating retirement. His immediate focus, he emphasized, is solely on the upcoming 2025 NFL season, where he aims to play all 17 games plus any potential playoff matchups. This strong statement from the veteran offensive lineman should quell, at least temporarily, the whispers about him hanging up his cleats.
The foundation for these retirement rumors largely stems from Moton’s injury history in the 2024 season, which notably broke his ironman streak of 104 consecutive starts. He missed two games due to an elbow and triceps injury and also sat out Week 17 with a knee issue. Additionally, he was limited during offseason activities in the spring of 2025 with a minor pectoral injury. These cumulative ailments raised concerns about the longevity of a player who has been a consistent and reliable presence on the Panthers’ offensive line for years.
Addressing his health directly, Moton acknowledged that he’s dealing with “chronic stuff,” a common reality for offensive linemen in the NFL. However, he expressed confidence in his current physical state. “My body’s been feeling good. No triceps problems right now, no knee problems. The knees have been feeling good,” he stated. He also highlighted the collaborative effort with the team’s athletic training staff to manage his long-term knee issues, indicating a proactive approach to keeping him on the field. “It’s just figuring out what we can do to make sure it’s limited and I’m still able to explode off it, which right now I can and I feel like I can in the future,” he explained, asserting that he’s “moving like I was when I was younger.”
Moton’s dedication to his craft and his consistent performance have made him a cornerstone of the Panthers’ offensive line since he was drafted in the second round in 2017. From 2018 to 2022, he played 100% of the offensive snaps, a testament to his durability and importance. Even in 2024, despite missing time, he played 14 games and continued to perform at a high level. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded him as the 21st best tackle in 2024 and ranks him 22nd heading into 2025, noting his impressive pass-blocking efficiency where he allowed pressure on only 3.4% of pass plays – the fourth-best rate among right tackles.
The financial implications of Moton’s contract status are also a key part of the conversation. He is entering the final year of a five-year, $85 million extension signed in 2021, which has been restructured multiple times. For the 2025 season, he carries a substantial $31.3 million cap hit, accounting for 11.2% of the team’s total cap. This large figure, combined with his age and injury history, led some to believe the Panthers might move on after this season, or at least be hesitant to offer another long-term deal.
However, Panthers ownership and General Manager Dan Morgan have also publicly expressed their support for Moton. Morgan stated during the NFL Combine that the team was “fine either way” regarding his contract, comfortable with him playing out the 2025 season at his current cap number. He also added, “Obviously, we love Taylor. We love everything about him. But right now we’re just going to stay put…We’ll get together at the right time and talk about his future in terms of the long term.”
Moton reciprocated this positive sentiment, praising the direction of the Panthers under Morgan, whom he called a “tremendous GM.” His desire to remain with the Panthers for the remainder of his career is clear. “I have a lot of family here. I love the city. I love it here, and it’s been home for quite a while,” he said. His commitment to the team is evident in his passionate declaration: “I fall back to control what I can control. And that’s just having the best year I possibly can for the guys, for the organization, for the city.”
The Panthers’ offensive line, featuring Moton at right tackle and Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle, made significant strides in 2024. After ranking 27th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency in 2023, the unit improved to 12th in 2024. Maintaining this improved protection for young quarterback Bryce Young is paramount for the team’s success, making Moton’s presence and continued high-level play critical.
While Moton is firmly committed to playing beyond 2025, his future with the Panthers beyond this season remains to be seen. His performance in 2025 will dictate his market value and the terms of any potential new contract. If he continues to play at an All-Pro level and remains relatively healthy, an extension with the Panthers could materialize. If not, he would become a highly sought-after free agent, though his preference appears to be to finish his career in Carolina.
For now, Panthers fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Taylor Moton is fully committed to the 2025 season and intends to continue his NFL career beyond it. His leadership, experience, and consistent play will be vital as the Panthers aim to build on the momentum of their improved offensive line and support their young quarterback. The right tackle position, anchored by Moton, remains a strong point for Carolina, and his declaration underscores his enduring dedication to the team and the game.
