Kawann Short has been tagged.
The Panthers on Monday slapped the franchise tag on the productive, fifth-year defensive tackle.
The sides have until July 15 to negotiate a multiyear contract. If no agreement is reached, Short will play under the tackle tender worth roughly $13.615 million for 2017.
The move was expected, with coach Ron Rivera conceding earlier this month that Carolina would likely need to designate Short, who finished last season as the NFL's third-highest graded interior defender.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Short has also notched the third-most sacks (17.0) among all tackles since 2015 and finished last season with six takedowns, 17 quarterback hits and 12 tackles for loss.
Expected to seek $17 million to 19 million annually on a new deal, Short is no sure bet to get what he's asking for. With fellow lineman Star Lotulelei set to hit the open market after next season, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman might look for fresh blood to pair with developing tackle Vernon Butler.
Either way, this should play out less chaotically than last year's tag drama in Carolina. After franchising Josh Norman in 2016, the team ultimately rescinding the designation and released the All-Pro cornerback amid ugly and stalled contract talks.
This time around, look for Carolina and their tagged player of choice to stick together for at least one more year.
