Devin Funchess is entering a contract year, and it seems like the perfect time coming off the best year of his career last year. Funchess was quite the disappointment his first two years after being the 41st pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

Last year, Funchess turned it around finishing with 63 catches for 840 yards and eight touchdowns. That isn't enough for the Panthers to offer him an extension. General manager Marty Hurney hinted on Wednesday that the team would wait for this year to finish up before deciding on an extension.

“Devin really made huge strides last year,” Hurney said, via the Charlotte Observer. “And he hopes to continue to do the same this year. It’s a continued development year. You want to see a guy put back-to-back years together.”

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Funchess entering a contract year doesn't bother him, and he told the Observer that he isn't even thinking about that, he is just focused on football. Funchess was even with Todd Gurley last weekend, and he said Gurley didn't know that the extension was coming.

“I’m out here to play football,” he said. “Don’t act brand-new. I focus on strictly football and that part has nothing to do with me. If they want to (get a deal done), they can.

“But I was with Todd the whole weekend. … He didn’t know his deal was coming. He got a blessing. … It’s all fine, but I’m out here to play football, work with (new offensive coordinator Norv Turner), work with the rest of the wide receivers, and talk a little trash to (Panthers linebacker) Thomas Davis.”

Funchess has a lot to play for, and he is primed for a big year, but his payday is going to have to wait until after this season.