Panthers inking McCaffrey to reported record 4-year, $64M extension

The Carolina Panthers are signing running back Christian McCaffrey to a four-year, $64-million contract extension, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The reported deal will average $16 million annually and make McCaffrey the highest-paid running back in NFL history. He'll be under contract through the 2025 season, as the extension will be added to the two years remaining on his first-round rookie deal from 2017 (including the fifth-year option), The Athletic's Joe Person reports.

"I'm so excited to continue my career in Carolina," McCaffrey said, according to Schefter. "I want to thank (owner) Mr. (David) Tepper, Marty Hurney, and coach (Matt) Rhule for the opportunity to help lead this great franchise, and to all my teammates for their help along the way. And to Panthers fans, keep pounding!"

Dallas Cowboys superstar Ezekiel Elliott entered the offseason as the position's highest-paid player after signing a six-year, $90-million deal ($15 million annually) this past September.

McCaffrey is coming off his best NFL campaign. The 23-year-old established career highs in 2019 by leading the league in touches (403), scrimmage yards (2,392), and touchdowns (19) to earn his first career Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nods.

For his career, the Stanford product has averaged 973 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground per 16 games played. He's added an average of 101 receptions for 841 yards and five scores a season.

McCaffrey is the only player in NFL history to amass 2,500 rushing yards and 2,500 receiving yards over his first three pro seasons.

The Panthers are set to begin a new era in 2020. They hired Rhule to replace Ron Rivera after parting ways with the latter midway through last season after almost nine years. Carolina also released former MVP Cam Newton this offseason, signing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year deal as his replacement.