Panthers' Davis 'pretty sure' Short deal coming

Thomas Davis doesn't want to see another talented Carolina Panthers defender walk out of the building, especially Kawann Short.

Short is currently in the process of negotiating a new contract with the Panthers and general manager David Gettleman after producing a career-high 11 sacks last year in his third season with Carolina.

"The way the league is right now (salaries) are slotted for players. You're expected to get a certain (number) based on what you've done and what the guys before you have done," Davis recently told Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

"So I'm pretty sure that Mr. Gettleman is a smart man, and he's proven that. And I'm pretty sure they'll come to an agreement and he'll get something worked out. He knows how valuable KK Short is to our football team."

Short made his first Pro Bowl last season, when the Panthers had a 15-1 regular-season record. He's expected to anchor the middle of Carolina's defensive line alongside former first-rounder Star Lotulelei for the foreseeable future.

Gettleman let 28-year-old cornerback Josh Norman leave for the Washington Redskins in free agency after the two sides came to an impasse in contract negotiations, but Davis is confident a different result lays ahead for Short.

"As players we understand that this thing is a business. We understand that Mr. Gettleman has a job to do," Davis said. "But at the same time, KK's agent (Joel Segal), he has a job to do as well. He's representing his client. And you've just got to let it take care of itself."