Panthers deny having deal with QB Stevens

[ASFN Admin]

Despite the New Orleans Saints' claims to the contrary, the Carolina Panthers say they didn't have a contract agreement in place with Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens before he was drafted by New Orleans. Rules allow teams to talk to players during the draft -- about potentially joining them should the player go undrafted -- but financial terms cannot be discussed. Saints head coach Sean Payton detailed to The Athletic earlier this week how his team and the Panthers had both been negotiating for Stevens' services, saying Carolina had offered Stevens a $15,000 signing bonus and a $30,000 guarantee of his salary.

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