It was just a year ago when the Carolina Panthers gave cornerback Josh Norman the franchise tag, only to rescind it later when the two sides couldn’t agree to a new deal. But that didn’t stop the Panthers from using the franchise tag this year on defensive tackle Kawann Short, the team announced on Monday.
Panthers use franchise tag on Kawann Short even after Josh Norman mess last year
A year ago, Carolina rescinded the tag on Norman and let him walk, but that didn’t deter the team from tagging Short.
Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
In early January, Short told Black and Blue Review that unlike Norman, who became a free agent and signed with Washington, he would “most likely” sign his tag quickly. However, Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk reported that Short wouldn’t sign it soon, and maybe not at all.
The team started working on a long-term contract with Short last offseason, but it never happened. Now, the two sides have until the July 15 deadline to reach a new deal. The 28-year-old is one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL and will likely be looking for a deal somewhere along the lines of what Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox got in his blockbuster extension a year ago.
If they don’t agree to a long-term deal, Short will have to sign the tag in order to play in 2017. Despite a dip in production this past season, Short has tallied 17 sacks over the past two seasons and is a player the Panthers need on the field.
Short will return to a Panthers defense that re-signed last year’s sack leader, Mario Addison, and run stopper Wes Horton to contract extensions earlier this week.
With Short, Addison, and Horton returning to Carolina next season, Steve Wilks will have continuity along the defensive line in his first season as the defensive coordinator. More importantly, it ensures that the pass rush won’t take a hit after finishing in the top six in team sacks over each of the past two seasons.
One year removed from a Super Bowl appearance, the Panthers have their sights aimed at another playoff run in 2017. This past season was a disappointing year for Carolina, but with Short back in the mix, the team should have a glimmer of hope for the near future.
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