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Defensive tackle Kawann Short was a critical interior presence for the Carolina Panthers on the way to the Super Bowl during the 2015 season and turned in a solid campaign in 2016. The team made sure it kept him around on Monday.
The Panthers announced they applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to Short, meaning they would receive a pair of first-round draft picks in return should they opt not to match another team's offer sheet to the player.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported before the 2016 season that the two sides started extension talks.