Panthers make McCaffrey highest paid running back in NFL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract extension with All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, a person familiar with the contract negotiation told the Associated Press, making McCaffrey the highest-paid running back in the NFL.

Details on how much of the contract is fully guaranteed were unavailable.

McCaffrey ran for 1,387 yards and had 1,005 yards receiving last season for the Panthers, joining Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig as the only running backs in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards in both categories in the same season.

McCaffrey, 23, had one year left on his current contract.

The new deal puts McCaffrey ahead of Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott as the highest-paid running back in the league. Elliott is making $15 million per season.

The former first-round draft pick has been spectacular for the Panthers, amassing 2,920 yards rushing and 2,523 yards receiving along with 39 touchdowns in three seasons. He is the only player in NFL history with at least 2,500 yards receiving and rushing in his first three seasons.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule said last week he viewed McCaffrey as a vital part of the franchise moving forward.

“I think Christian McCaffrey is a centerpiece player that you can build around,” Rhule said. “And I think he really builds to the culture that you want to have within the building.”