Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers Agree to 1-Year Contract Extension

The Carolina Panthers and running back Jonathan Stewart agreed to a one-year contract extension on March 24. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the extension will reduce Stewart's $8.25 million cap hit in 2017.

Field Yates of ESPN reported Monday that Stewart is now due $9.5 million over the next two seasons, adding that the move also freed up $2.08 million in cap space for the Panthers.

Stewart, 30, rushed for 824 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Heading into his 10th NFL season, he has spent his entire career in Carolina.

While Stewart has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season only once in his NFL career, he's been a fixture in the Carolina backfield throughout his career. He's rushed for under 700 yards only twice in his career, both times due to injury. He hasn't played more than 13 games in a season since 2011.

The Panthers will look for Stewart to lead their backfield again in 2017, having avoided investing in the running back position in free agency. Cameron Artis-Payne, heading into his third NFL season, is perhaps the biggest threat to Stewart's playing time. He's only played in 10 games in his two previous seasons but has been effective in his limited playing time.

Fozzy Whittaker will also receive carries next season should Stewart miss any time.