Trai Turner, Panthers Reportedly Had Preliminary Contract Extension Talks

The Carolina Panthers and offensive guard Trai Turner have engaged in "preliminary conversations" regarding a contract extension, according to the Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person. 

A 2014 third-round draft pick, Turner is due for a raise as he gets set to enter the final year of his rookie contract since he's been named to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons. As things stand, Turner is scheduled to earn just under $1.8 million in 2017, per Spotrac. 

But despite Turner's Pro Bowl nod last season, Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson noted 2016 represented a step back for the LSU product: "Turner’s season was a huge drop in quality from 2015; he was flagged four times more than last year, surrendering twice the number of sacks and 19 additional QB pressures, while not having nearly the same impact as a run blocker."

Regression aside, Turner has proved over the past three seasons he's worthy of a lucrative contract in a league that has rewarded top-tier guards with hefty salary bumps of late. 

But as Person reported, the Panthers could be in a tough spot. Although they would like to keep Turner in the fold long-term, doing so "isn't going to come cheap or easy." 

The Panthers have $14.5 million in projected cap space for 2018, according to OverTheCap.com. That number can and likely will change, but Carolina doesn't have much financial wiggle room at its disposal as the front office contemplates an extension for the key interior cog.