Panthers

Panthers Officially Franchise DE Greg Hardy

February 28, 2014

Update:

The #Panthers have placed the franchise tag on DE Greg Hardy (@ItsGHardy). pic.twitter.com/HPQNBGT8r6

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) February 28, 2014

GM Dave Gettleman:

“We have had great dialogue with both Greg and his agent. It was important to keep our defensive front together.”

HC Ron Rivera:

“We are very pleased that Greg will be back with the Panthers next season. Greg was a big reason we were able to lead the league in sacks last year and keeps our defensive line intact.”

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Pro Football Talk, citing a league source, is reporting that the Panthers have informed DE Greg Hardy that they are using their franchise tag on him.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed that the Panthers are franchising Hardy.
According to the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers are expected to continue working on a long-term extension for Hardy in the coming months.
Albert Breer reports that the franchise tag should run the Panthers close to $13 million in 2014.

Bill Voth first reported on Tuesday that the Carolina Panthers are preparing to franchise DE Greg Hardy in the coming weeks.

Hardy, 25, was believed to be targeting a massive contract that could come close to Charles Johnson‘s six-year, $78 million deal, so the franchise tag would obviously make sense.

Last year, he totaled 59 tackles, 15 sacks and a forced fumble over the course of 16 games for the Panthers. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 3 defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

The tag should cost the Panthers close to $12.6 million guaranteed next season. We had Hardy listed as the No. 2 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.