The Carolina Panthers have placed their franchise tag on defensive tackle Kawann Short.
The team is doing its best to keep its defensive line intact, retaining Short on a one-year contract after locking up pending free-agent defensive ends Mario Addison and Wes Horton.
Short was a force for the Panthers in 2015, the year they made a Super Bowl appearance, racking up 55 total tackles, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Carolina experienced a down year in 2016, but Short contributed with another 55 tackles and six sacks.
The Panthers placed the non-exclusive tag on Short, so the 28-year-old can continue to negotiate with other teams, but Carolina can match any offer and would be awarded two first-round draft picks if Short signs elsewhere.
If Carolina wishes to re-sign all members of their defensive line, all that remains are defensive end Charles Johnson and tackle Kyle Love.