Multiple reports in the past week painted a compelling picture that the Carolina Panthers, and new general manager Marty Hurney, would not use the franchise tag in 2018.
Speculation at the end of 2017 was that free agent guard Andrew Norwell, who is likely to have a very high value on the open market, would be a prime candidate if the Panthers were inclined to use the tag. NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport is now stoking rumors that the Panthers may use the tag on a very different target.
Franchise tag tidbits: The #Panthers are more likely to tag K Graham Gano than standout G Andrew Norwell, while the #Seahawks want to keep DL Sheldon Richardson long-term… but a tag is unlikely.