HEADLINES

Ron Rivera

Panthers Sign Rivera To Three-Year Extension

January 28th, 2014 at 4:37pm CST by Luke Adams

4:37pm: Rivera’s new contract will pay him between $4-5MM annually, according to Person (via Twitter), who compares it to Jim Caldwell‘s deal with the Lions.

2:37pm: The Panthers have officially extended head coach Ron Rivera‘s contract by three years, through the 2017 season, the team announced today (link via Max Henson of Panthers.com). Rivera’s deal had previously been scheduled to expire after next season.

Despite starting 2013 with a 1-3 record, Rivera’s Panthers bounced back to win 11 of their final 12 contests, earning a first-round bye. The team eventually lost to the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs, but the strong regular season performance was enough to earn “Riverboat Ron” Coach of the Year honors from the Professional Football Writers of America.

“The improvement of our team has been reflected in the progress of the record over the last three seasons under Ron, and we look forward to building upon that foundation,” Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement.

On the heels of GM Dave Gettleman expressing that he had “ultimate confidence” in the Carolina head coach, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reported earlier this week that Rivera and the Panthers were negotiating a contract extension. Person follows up on today’s news by tweeting that Rivera’s new deal is straightforward, rather than incentive-laden like Rex Ryan‘s pact with the Jets.

In his three seasons with the club, Rivera has led the Panthers to a 25-23 record.

Ron Rivera, Panthers Discussing Extension

January 26th, 2014 at 7:38pm CST by David Kipke

Contract extensions talks have begun between the Panthers and third-year head coach Ron Rivera, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

After coaching the Panthers to a combined 13-19 record in his first two years in Charlotte, Rivera has led the team to a 12-4 record in the 2013 campaign. Rivera, who became known as “Riverboat Ron” for his aggressive style during the 2013 season, has been a favorite in several Coach of the Year award ballots, including the Pro Football Writers of America. Panthers GM Dave Gettleman indicated recently that he has “ultimate confidence” in his head coach.

Rivera, who signed a four-year contract with the Panthers before the 2011 season, is heading into the final season of his current deal, which was worth a total of $11.2MM. As Person notes, Carolina could choose to tack one year onto Rivera’s contract to avoid having him enter 2014 as a lame duck, but it’s more likely that the two sides work out a longer-term extension.

Panthers GM On Cam Newton, Free Agency

January 25th, 2014 at 5:41pm CST by Peter Sowards

After a highly successful first season as general manager of the Carolina Panthers in which his team by improved five wins and won the NFC South, Dave Gettleman now has the unenviable task of getting a handle on 21 unrestricted free agents. The franchise cornerstones on offense and defense — quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly — are not among that group, but both are nearing hefty second contracts. Defensive end Greg Hardy totaled 26 sacks the past two seasons and will be a prime candidate for the franchise tag after his four-year rookie deal expired. Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer sat down with Gettleman at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., for an hour-long interview to glean insight on the future of this young, talented team.

On how impressed he is with Newton‘s maturity:

“Just step back and put yourself in his shoes: first pick of the draft, you’re seen as the savior, in athletics you’ve had very few failures and then you walk into the NFL, 2-14, coming out of the lockout with no OTAs (Organized Team Activities) with no nothing. The way he accepted leadership, the way he grew, you guys wrote about how he was letting his teammates help him, his improvement in reading the field and going through his progressions.”

On what he wants to do with Hardy:

“He’s part of the puzzle.”

On what life will be like without Steve Smith:

“Steve has just had a tremendous career. He’s 34. He’s exceeded the normal career of any wide receiver and he should be very proud of what he’s accomplished and he’s been a great Carolina Panther. Who knows? You don’t know when he’s going to be done.”

On head coach Ron Rivera being in the final year of his contract:

“Well again, to answer your question, I said in the press conference, ‘I’ve got ultimate confidence in him.’ And that’s the exact quote. And I still do. So …”