Regardless of what happens in the next couple of weeks, one thing is for sure. Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short is getting paid. Monday the Panthers tapped Short with the “non-exclusive” franchise tag, which means that Short can negotiate a new contract with any NFL team, but the Panthers have the right to match it to keep Short’s services.
If Short does sign elsewhere, Carolina would get two first-round draft picks in return.
It’s a huge payoff for all involved as it allows Short to explore his value and the Panthers a chance to keep a guy that has been a rock in the middle of their defensive line for the last three seasons. Short hasn’t missed a game since the Panthers drafted him in the second round out of Purdue in 2013. Short took over as a starter in 2014 and started every game in 2015 and 2016. Last year he finished the season with 55 tackles, six sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble. Short had 11 sacks in 2015.
And now, Panthers officially have tagged Kawann Short, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2017
The franchise tag for defensive tackles this season is expected to be $14.77 million, a huge chunk all at once that the Panthers would love to avoid.
Carolina and Short were working on a deal last offseason, but were miles apart in money. Short was looking for $17 million a year similar to the deal Fletcher Cox got. The Panthers never offered more than $14 million so now we’re here with the franchise tag on the table.
Is Short worth two first round picks to a suitor? I don’t see it happening, but in the open market he’d definitely get his $17 million. The Panthers will likely have to pony up at least that to get him signed long term.
Cardinals franchise Chandler Jones
Chandler Jones thanked New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick last offseason for not trading him to a team that sucks. Then, as if overheard by every troll, elf and elder daemon in the universe, the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl and the team they traded Jones to, the Arizona Cardinals, finished 7-8-1 and missed the playoffs. So maybe Jones will keep his mouth shut this time.
As it is, Jones will at least get paid for wearing the red and white as the Cardinals have popped the outside linebacker with the franchise tag. Arizona and Jones have until July 15 to work out a long term contract or Jones will play the 2017 for the tag amount, which looks like it’ll be $14.129 million.
We've placed the franchise tag on @chanjones55.
More info: https://t.co/rz4V85S95T pic.twitter.com/4L5I2EkgUL
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) February 27, 2017
The good thing for Jones is, that $14 million range is probably where his long term contract will be so other than just settling his future some, his average salary won’t change with the long term agreement. Currently only two OLBs make more than that and those guys are Von Miller ($19 million a year) and Justin Houston ($16.8 million a year) and Jones won’t get deals like those two men. No way.
Jones did have another great year in 2016, regardless of where the Cardinals finished. He recorded 49 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three passes defensed.
Browns cut Andrew Hawkins
If Andrew Hawkins is going to continue his NFL career, it might have to happen outside the state of Ohio for the first time in his NFL life. Monday Hawkins was officially cut by the Cleveland Browns as the team continues to focus on developing its younger players and free up money for the upcoming free agent period.
We've released WR Andrew Hawkins
Details » https://t.co/B2S6xAPPeo pic.twitter.com/2Tpn3xhkxW
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 27, 2017
Hawkins has had an interesting journey as a football player. He’s from Pennsylvania, but played his college football at the University of Toledo. He then signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent after spending three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. He spend three seasons with the Bengals, then moved over to the Cleveland Browns in 2014 where he led the team in receiving, catching 63 passes for 824 yards and two touchdowns.
Last year Hawkins appeared in every game for the Browns and started five. He caught 33 passes for 324 yards and three TDs and obviously is a guy that can play, at least in a reserve role, in the NFL.
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