Panthers' Rivera concedes team will likely use franchise tag on Short

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera sees the future for the team's relationship with defensive lineman Kawann Short and it involves the franchise tag.

Rivera was interviewed on ESPN's NFL Insiders on Thursday and conceded that the Panthers will "probably" have to tag impending free agent Short, a strong indication the team does not expect to reach a long-term deal.

The Panthers have an interesting history with the franchise tag. They used it on cornerback Josh Norman last season, then rescinded it, making Norman an unrestricted free agent.

With Star Lotulelei entering the final year of his rookie deal and 2016 first-round pick Vernon Butler in the fold, the Panthers don't necessarily have to retain Short. But the team has made it clear in recent seasons that defensive line depth is a priority and not retaining Short would run counter to that.

Short is believed to be seeking a contract worth somewhere in the range of $17 million per year - or about what the Philadelphia Eagles' Fletcher Cox and New York Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson earn.

The franchise tag would cost the Panthers about $14 million for one year.