The Carolina Panthers have released veteran offensive tackle Michael Oher and signed guard Trai Turner to a massive four-year extension. In a statement, the Panthers said Oher was released with a failed physical designation after he missed most of the last season due to a concussion that he suffered in Week 3. The move put the Panthers $1.69 million under the salary cap. Oher, for his part, will receive injury compensation from the Panthers.
According to Panthers coach Ron Rivera, Oher’s health is the most important thing and the team’s only concern is to get him healthy.
Rivera explained to Oher the reason behind his release and the offensive tackle understood it clearly. Oher turned into a household name after his life became the subject of the best-selling book "The Blind Side." The book was later turned into a hit movie in 2009, starring Sandra Bullock.
Oher’s release came as no surprise
The move, which came as no surprise, happened days after the Panthers fired general manager David Gettleman, who was staunchly defended by Oher two days ago. The 31-year-old Oher skipped organized team activities but reported to minicamp in June. However, Oher hinted on Instagram that he hasn’t fully healed from last season's concussion symptoms by showing different medicines for the brain.
He also recently tweeted: “The brain is a scary thing. You have to be careful with it.”
The Baltimore Ravens picked Oher in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2009. He saw action for the Ravens for five seasons, winning a Super Bowl ring in 2012. He joined the Tennessee Titans in 2014 and signed the following year with the Panthers to become Cam Newton's blindside protector.
Impressed by Oher's performance in his first season, the Panthers rewarded him with a three-year, $21.6 million extension, including $9.5 million in guaranteed money, last summer.
On April 14, Oher was involved in an altercation with an Uber driver in Nashville, Tennessee, where he lives during the offseason. He was charged with misdemeanor assault after he allegedly pushed and kicked the Uber driver after a dispute over the fare.
Panthers sign Turner to extension
The Panthers have signed Turner to a four-year extension worth $45 million. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the contract contains a $15 million signing bonus, $20.5 million in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of $11.25 million. Turner will become a free agent at age 28. A third-round pick out of LSU in 2014, Turner started 41 games for the Panthers and made it to the Pro Bowl for two straight seasons. Now that Turner has been signed, the Panthers will next focus on extending guard Andrew Norwell.
