The Carolina Panthers and first round pick Jon Beason were far apart on contract talks late Thursday, making it likely the linebacker will miss the start of training camp.
The stalemate with Beason came amid news the Panthers came to terms with center Ryan Kalil on a four-year contract and were close to deal with a fellow second-round pick, receiver Dwayne Jarrett.
By MIKE CRANSTON
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – The Carolina Panthers and first round pick Jon Beason were far apart on contract talks late Thursday, making it likely the linebacker will miss the start of training camp.
The stalemate with Beason came amid news the Panthers came to terms with center Ryan Kalil on a four-year contract and were close to deal with a fellow second-round pick, receiver Dwayne Jarrett.
But the Panthers were staring at their first rookie holdout since 2003.
Beason’s agent, Michael Huyghue, flew to Charlotte on Thursday for face-to-face negotiations with the Panthers, but left without a deal in place.
“We have not overcome some hurdles the team has imposed so I would not anticipate a deal imminently,” Huyghue said in an e-mail message.
General manager Marty Hurney would only say that talks would resume Friday. But he did confirm Kalil’s deal and said he expected Jarrett’s deal to be completed Friday.
Jarrett’s agent, Darin Morgan, echoed that in an e-mail message Thursday night, writing, “I hope it will be done by the morning.”
Players are scheduled to report to camp in Spartanburg, S.C., on Friday morning. The first practice is Saturday.
Second-round pick Bruce Nelson’s one-day absence in 2003 was the only time under Hurney that a draft pick was not signed on time.
The Panthers would especially like to make sure Beason and Jarrett don’t miss any practice time. Beason, a linebacker from Miami, is expected to contend for a starting job at either Na’il Diggs’ spot at outside linebacker or in the middle if Dan Morgan can’t return from multiple concussions.
Jarrett, a receiver from Southern California, could replace Keyshawn Johnson as the starter opposite Steve Smith.
Kalil, a center from USC, could also get a starting job despite the team’s depth there.
The Panthers’ other five draft picks have come to terms, including third-round choice Charles Johnson, fourth-rounder Ryne Robinson and fifth-round choice Dante Rosario.
The Panthers came to terms with fifth-round choice Tim Shaw and seventh-round pick C.J. Wilson earlier this week