NFL

Panthers sign OT Taylor Moton to two-year, $44 million contract extension

The Panthers have been pouring heavy resources into their offensive line, so why not continue with Moton? One of the better right tackles in the NFL, Moton is especially talented as a pass blocker. Those skills should come in handy in the years ahead with Bryce Young needing time to get the ball to Tetairoa McMillan.

Extending a 31-year-old presents risk, but Moton is as steady as they come. Even an almost fully-guaranteed deal ($40 million guaranteed) isn’t enough to dissuade me from approving of this signing.

Grade: B

49ers receive:
RB Brian Robinson

Commanders receive:
2026 sixth-round pick

Robinson had a solid first three seasons with Washington, but he fell out of favor recently. Kept away from the team for its Week 2 preseason game, it was only a matter of time until the 2022 third-round selection was sent elsewhere.

San Francisco is a sensible destination. The 49ers boast Christian McCaffrey at the top of their running back depth chart, but the club is hampered behind him. Once the dust settles, Robinson and Isaac Guerendo should vie for reps behind McCaffrey. I like Robinson’s chances in that battle.

Considering that Robinson could’ve been released, fetching a sixth rounder for his services is solid work. I question Washington’s unit at running back now, however. Austin Ekeler is a proven commodity on third down, but who’s going to handle the early-down workload? The fantasy football community loves Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but he posted just one 1,000-yard season in six years in college. Chris Rodriguez is around, too, though he’s also a mostly an unknown talent.

I’m sure Adam Peters and Dan Quinn have a plan, so I’ll applaud, rather than criticize this move. In the end, both parties should be pleased with this transaction.

49ers Grade: B-

Commanders Grade: B

MLB

Orioles sign C Sam Basallo to eight-year, $67 million contract extension

The trend of franchises signing top prospects to extensions fresh off their debut is a fruitful one for clubs, so it’s probably never going away. For players, it’s a different story, although it’s surely hard to reject generational wealth. In Basallo’s case, he’s securing just that. Of course, he’s also losing out on tens of millions — if he pans out.

The 21-year-old is one of baseball’s top prospects, and for the Orioles, locking him in represents a success in a season full of failures. Basallo plays the same position as franchise stalwart Adley Rutschman, but things tend to have a way of working themselves out.

Through four career games, Basallo is hitting .286 with five RBIs.

Grade: A