The Carolina Panthers restructured the contract of star linebacker Luke Kuechly to free up more than $7 million in cap space, ESPN reported Thursday.
The Panthers converted $9.05 million of Kuechly’s 2019 salary into a bonus, a move that gives the cap-strapped club an additional $7.24 million to play with one week ahead of the NFL Draft, according to the report. The Panthers had just $1.34 million in cap space prior to the restructure.
It’s the second consecutive year the Panthers have given Kuechly upfront money. The 28-year-old linebacker is coming off his fifth first team All-Pro bid.
Kuechly posted 130 tackles – including a career-high 20 for loss – last year to go with two sacks and an interception in 16 games.
Kuechly has made the Pro Bowl the past six seasons.
