Jordan Gross Confirms Panthers Contract

Jordan Gross has officially signed a six-year deal to remain a Carolina Panther, one that will make him not only one of the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL but the highest-paid Panther of all time, according to a statement he made today to the Rock Hill Herald.

Gross seemed relieved that the deal -- which took a year of negotiations to complete -- was finalized, and acknowledged that he probably could have made more on the open market.

We're done," he said with a sigh. "I signed it about 10 minutes ago, and I'm glad to be through with it."

[...]"It was tough, because they had a number they wanted to stay within," Gross said. "But if I go into the (free agent) market, the sky would have been the limit.

"I took a cut to stay here, but it was important for me to be in a place I wanted to be, and to make sure we were able to have a competitive team."

The move is huge for the Panthers, in the first part because they lock up an All-Pro offensive lineman at left tackle. And, of course, secondarily because now they can apply the franchise tag to disgruntled defensive end Julius Peppers before the deadline to do so today at 4 PM.

Tracking NFL Free Agents

Julius Peppers, Defensive end
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY PANTHERS
The Latest: Despite his expressed wishes, Peppers was tagged by Carolina. He'll make nearly $17 million next season, but the Panthers will have to work out a trade for him to leave.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Antonio Bryant, Wide receiver
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY BUCS
The Latest: Bryant will stay in Tampa, and receive nearly $10 million next year, a huge jump from the $600K he earned in 2008.

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

Dunta Robinson, Cornerback
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY TEXANS
The Latest: Houston will keep Robinson for next season, and continue to work on a long-term extension.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

LeRoy Hill, Linebacker
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY SEAHAWKS
The Latest: Seattle franchised Hill and, though he's free to talk with other teams, it's unlikely anyone will cough up multiple first-day draft picks for a trade.

Ted S. Warren, AP

Terrell Suggs, Linebacker
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY RAVENS
The Latest: The Ravens opted to lock down Suggs for next season, at the risk of losing both Ray Lewis and Bart Scott. Suggs will earn $10.2 million in 2009.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Darren Sproles, Running back
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY CHARGERS
The Latest: Sproles will earn $6.6 million next season after San Diego franchised him. Now the question is, will he be the starter or LdT's backup?

Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Jordan Gross, Offensive tackle
RE-SIGNED WITH CAROLINA - Six years, terms not announced
The Latest: The Panthers locked up Gross to a long-term contract, and did so just in time to place the franchise tag on Julius Peppers.

Paul Jasienski, Getty Images

Brandon Jacobs, Running back
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY GIANTS
The Latest: The non-exclusive tag means that Jacobs is still able to sign elsewhere, but would cost two first-round picks as compensation. He'll spend at least one more season in New York because of that.

Bill Kostroun, AP

Chris Johnson, Cornerback
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - Four years, terms not announced
The Latest: Oakland wasted no time locking up Johnson with a multi-year deal, and now can focus all its attention on making sure Nnamdi Asomugha is lined up at the Raiders' other cornerback spot.

Paul Sakuma, AP

Karlos Dansby, Linebacker
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY CARDINALS
The Latest: For the second straight season, the Cardinals used the franchise tag on Dansby. He can still negotiate with other teams, but likely will spend next season in the desert - whether he wants to or not.

Ross D. Franklin, AP