[Carolina Panthers News]

Spartanburg, S.C. | The agent for Carolina Panthers' rookie Jon Beason said Saturday he was hopeful there would be a breakthrough soon in contract negotiations.

Beason, a linebacker from Miami, officially became a holdout when he missed Saturday's opening workout of training camp. But a day after general manager Marty Hurney said they were "miles apart," Michael Huyghue indicated other first-round signings across the league could jump-start talks.

"A lot of times as more deals come in, it takes some of the uncertainty out of what you're looking for," Huyghue said. "It helps sometimes to move the conversation forward, so I'm hopeful that that will be the effect."

The players above and below Beason, the 25th pick, have come to terms. Beason is the lowest first-round pick still unsigned.

Panthers, Beason trying to make a deal | StarNewsOnline.com | Star-News | Wilmington, NC

[Lefty Noob]

On the surface, the situation doesn't look good. How soon will they be able to get a deal done?

[cwstech]

I don't think it looks all that well either. I've never been big on Rookie's holding out. You are new to the team, but yet, you're holding out for money. That's a good way to lose the respect early of your teammates.

[cwstech]

So the Panthers have finally signed their first round draft pick of Jon Beason. He signed a 5 year contract with more than $6 million. in guaranteed money and a $3.2 million signing bonus which makes up for the lack of a second year bonus. They are saying the lack of the second year bonus was the major hold up in the contract negotiations.