Carolina Panthers Extend Michael Oher

As we know, Carolina Panthers left tackle Michael Oher became famous through his movie and book The Blind Side. It was a great story that which chronicled all the adversity he had to overcome in his life from childhood on to make it to the NFL.

And now, after going through his fair share of adversity in the NFL, perhaps The Blind Side II  is in order. Oher was considered a bust after being waived by the Tennessee Titans following a disappointing year. At that point, it appeared his career and story had come to an end.

That is no way for a story like Oher’s to end and thanks to the Panthers, it wouldn’t end that way. They signed him to a 2-year, $7 million contract and he  helped them go to the Super Bowl. Pro Football Focus has him graded as a Top-10 pass-blocking tackle now for 2015.

To add to the romanticism of the story, Oher’s resurgence came under offensive line coach John Matsko, his position coach in college. So naturally, wherever the story goes from here, the Panthers made sure the next three years of it are in Carolina.

They just signed the left tackle a three-year extension worth $21.6 million in new money, averaging $7.2 million per year and $9.5 million in guarantees. Oher’s extension comes 11 days after the Panthers signed center Ryan Kalil to a 2-year, $16.75 million deal.

The offensive line didn’t play their best game in Super Bowl 50 but GM Dave Gettleman wants continuity there and won’t discount the rest of the season. So they will remain in front of quarterback Cam Newton as the Panthers seek their fourth straight NFC South title.