NFL Rumors: 'Monster Gap' Between Daryl Williams, Panthers in Contract Talks

There is a "monster gap" in contract talks between the Carolina Panthers and right tackle Daryl Williams, a  source close to the negotiations told Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer.

A league source added it would be "shocking" if the two sides were able to work out an extension by training camp in July.

Williams, 25, had an excellent season in 2017. As Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus wrote:

"Though he didn’t have the same postseason run as [Philadelphia Eagles right tackle] Lane Johnson, Williams was arguably even better in the regular season for the Panthers, proving to be one of the true breakout players of 2017 for the Panthers. Williams had an overall PFF grade of 86.5, the third-best among all tackles and the best among right-side tackles."

Williams is scheduled to make just $1.9 million for the 2018 season, per Spotrac.com, before becoming a free agent next offseason. He'll be one of the NFL's biggest bargains this year, and it's hard to imagine both sides don't want to work out a long-term extension. 

"I love the Panthers, I love the organization (and) I love Charlotte," Williams told Rodrigue. "I hope I can finish the rest of my career here."

But Williams also isn't concerning himself with the negotiations.

"I have no clue. I just leave that up to my agents, doing the negotiating," he said Thursday, per Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. "I'm just trying to focus on practicing and stuff like that."