Gross' deal sets bar for O-linemen
By Charles Chandler
cchandler@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Feb. 20, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS No veteran NFL offensive lineman has received a deal as lucrative as Jordan Gross signed Thursday with the Carolina Panthers.
Gross signed a front-loaded, six-year contract that totaled close to $60million, including $30.5million in the first three years of the deal, the most ever for an offensive lineman.
Most NFL contracts are back-loaded, with funds weighted more heavily in the latter years of a deal, which, in some cases, can lead to players being released without receiving the higher salaries.
Gross' contract topped the previous biggest deal paid out to a veteran lineman – the five-year, $40million contract guard Alan Faneca signed last year with the New York Jets.
“Getting to stay at home with the Panthers is something that has always been a No.1 priority with us,” Gross said.
He was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Feb.27, but the Panthers might have placed their franchise tag on him if the deal had not been complete before Thursday's 4p.m. deadline to designate franchise players.
Because numerous teams need offensive tackles, Gross said, “the market probably would have been a feeding frenzy.” But signing with Carolina was “like we hit the jackpot (with) the best of both worlds,” he said.
Gross, 28, had his best season in 2008. He was selected first-team All-Pro and was an NFC starter in his first Pro Bowl appearance. He's started 103 games in his six seasons.
“He's a perfect fit for our team and our organization as a player and an individual,” general manager Marty Hurney said.
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