Panthers Sign DT Kawann Short To Five-Year, $80M Deal

Adam Schefter reports that the Panthers have signed franchise DT Kawann Short to a five-year, $80 million contract.

• Ian Rapoport reports that this new contract includes $35 million fully guaranteed at signing and $45 in total guarantees.
• According to Jason La Canfora, Short receives $40 million over the first two years of the contract.

The Panthers have already confirmed the extension:

“KK has been very important to what we’ve been able to accomplish on defense,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “In 2013, when we drafted KK, I thought he was the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the draft, and he’s been able to develop into one of the top young defensive tackles in the NFL. Off the field, KK is a top-notch young man and great representative of our team. I’m absolutely thrilled that we were able to get this deal done.”

“KK consistently affects the quarterback and is strong against the run,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “The mismatches he creates for us on defense force opponents to be aware of him at all times and give us an edge along the defensive line. He’s a great player, but also a quality young man who has the respect of his teammates in the locker room. He’s everything we’re looking for in a Panther.”

Carolina used their franchise tag on Short a few months ago, which would have run them around $13.615 million guaranteed for the 2017 season. However, it looks like they were able to hammer out a long-term deal and prevent another Josh Norman-like situation this summer.

Short, 28, was taken in the second-round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played out the final year of his four-year, $4.630 million rookie contract and made a base salary of $1,036,410 for the 2016 season before he was franchised this offseason.

In 2016, Short appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers and recorded 55 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble and three pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 3 interior defensive lineman out of 127 qualifying players.