Panthers HC Ron Rivera Says Franchising DT Kawann Short An Option They’ll Consider

Update:

Panthers HC Ron Rivera later clarified that he was not suggesting that franchising free agent DT Kawann Short is imminent, but it’s just an option for them to consider, per Joe Person.

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Panthers HC Ron Rivera conceded on ESPN’s NFL Insiders Thursday that Carolina “probably will have to tag” impending free agent DT Kawann Short, per Adam Schefter.

Rivera added that he’s still “pretty optimistic” about working something out with Short in the end, per Max Henson.

The franchise tag next year is projected (NFLTR) to cost the Panthers around $13.615 million guaranteed. However, this won’t prevent the two sides from working on a long-term deal that could come with a lower cap figure for next season.

Some have wondered if the Panthers would allow Short to test the free agent market, considering that they have Star Lotulelei and used a first-round Vernon Butler last year. But it sounds like they could be leaning toward franchising him in the next few weeks.

Short, 28, was taken in the second-round of the 2013 NFL Draft and has played out the final year of his four-year, $4.630 million rookie contract. Short made a base salary of $1,036,410 for the 2016 season and is now in position to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent in the coing months.

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.

We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.