The Carolina Panthers extended a key part of their offense Thursday, reaching a three-year, $35 million deal with receiver Jalen Coker, agent Matt Glose told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Coker was an exclusive rights free agent this year and was set to be a restricted free agent in 2027. Now, he'll stick in Carolina through at least the 2029 season.

The new deal could rise to as much $41 million with incentives.

Coker, an undrafted free agent who signed with the Panthers in April 2024, had 43 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns last season after sitting out the first month because of an injury. He came on strong toward the end of the season and eventually replaced Xavier Legette, Carolina's first-round pick in 2024, in the starting lineup alongside Tetairoa McMillan, last year's AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Coker had a breakout performance in Carolina's NFC wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams with nine catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.

"I'm just excited to play for this team, that's all it is," Coker said previously. "All that other stuff, it is what it is. I'm just excited to be here.''

Coker didn't receive much attention from top level Division I college programs coming out of high school and settled on attending Holy Cross. He promised his mother he would not transfer and would stick it out there and get his degree. He played four years at Holy Cross and caught 163 passes for 2,684 yards and a school-record 31 touchdowns.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.