Carolina Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman has always prioritized the front seven of his defense over everything else. It's why he's invested four total draft picks within the first two rounds into the unit since 2013. It's also why he felt comfortable letting All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman walk earlier this offseason.
Of the four early-round draft picks among the front seven, arguably none have been more impressive than 2013 second-round defensive tackle Kawann Short. The former Purdue standout made the Pro Bowl last season and was named second-team All-Pro. But Short is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and Gettleman will have to figure out how to keep him in Carolina long-term.
Negotiations between the two sides have begun, and Gettleman said in February that he wants Short playing for the Panthers for a good long while. But what will signing him cost the team?
The Miami Dolphins set the DT market when they gave Ndamukong Suh an astronomical $19 million per year. Short won't be getting that type of money, but he should receive an offer that puts him squarely in the highly paid second tier at the position. If Short isn't among the top five highest paid DTs next year after tying Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins for most sacks (11) at the position then something has gone very, very wrong.
The baseline of what Short is expected to make is $10.5 million per year, what San Diego's Corey Liuget is earning right now as the fifth-highest paid DT in the NFL. It's expected that Short will see more than that, perhaps somewhere in the $12 million to $14 million range. That would put him directly behind Tampa Bay's Gerald McCoy ($15.8 million).
As of now, the Panthers are roughly $31.2 million under the salary cap after rescinding Norman's $13.952 franchise tag. If Gettleman wanted to, he could re-sign Short long-term right now and still have money left over. But patience is a virtue, and Gettleman knows he must also re-sign Star Loutulelei next year after he plays out the fifth-year team option in 2016.
However, should the worst case scenario be realized and one or both of Carolina's emerging defensive tackles skip town, Gettleman has a backup in place. The Panthers drafted Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler with the No. 30 overall pick this year. For now, he'll slide into a fearsome rotation along this talented defensive line.
Short has 16 sacks in 48 career games and forced a career high three fumbles in 2015.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
