Looking to cash in on the heels of a career-best season in Arizona (31-438-4 receiving line on 45 targets in 2020), Dan Arnold was a hot commodity during this year’s free agency, fielding offers from multiple suitors including the Panthers. The 6’6” tight end is represented by Erik Burkhardt, who counts former Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray and Chiefs Pro Bowler Frank Clark among his more notable clients. In a surprising display of transparency, the Panthers showed us how the sausage gets made, sharing footage of Burkhardt’s negotiations with team salary cap manager Samir Suleimed earlier this week.
The fascinating exchange begins with GM Scott Fitterer paying a visit to Suleimed’s office, where the two briefly discuss Arnold before putting a call into his agent. Talking on speakerphone, Burkhardt expressed his admiration for the Panthers, seeing Carolina as a strong fit for Arnold, who previously played under offensive coordinator Joe Brady in New Orleans. “I’m open for business,” said Burkhardt, conveying that his client would be open to a one or two-year deal. “At the same time, the kid has never been paid. He’s worked his ass off. You tell me what’s fair.”
Suleimed then asked if Arnold would be amenable to a two-year deal worth $4 million. “Bro, you’ve got to come a little stronger than that,” groaned an audibly frustrated Burkhardt, clearly underwhelmed by Suleimed’s offer. “This is not like the blocking tight end who’s never caught a ball. I mean he’s caught 31 for 450 in 19 games. He’s played 19 games, basically, since he was off the practice squad in New Orleans. He had six touchdowns.” Burkhardt continued to rattle off stats, noting that Arnold outgained Larry Fitzgerald last season while playing just 40 percent of Arizona’s offensive snaps.
“Are you reading off something or is this all by memory?” asked Suleimed.
“This is all by memory,” Burkhardt responded. “Half the league has called me about this kid.”
The two couldn’t come to an understanding on that call—Suleimed stood firm at $4 million, insisting the Panthers had too many other needs to address. But eventually the sides found a middle ground, culminating in a two-year, $6-million payday for Arnold, who should have the inside track on Ian Thomas for the starting job at tight end. An undrafted 26-year-old out of Division III Wisconsin-Platteville won’t make or break the Panthers, but Arnold’s ascension from unheralded practice-squadder to a legitimate NFL starter is still pretty remarkable.
It’s rare for an NFL team to give this kind of access, providing a reference point for what contract negotiations are really like behind closed doors. Props to Carolina for letting us behind the curtain.
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