Perhaps the Carolina Panthers will not have to use the franchise tag on defensive end Greg Hardy.
The Panthers could always tag Hardy at $13 million but the Charlotte Observer reports that the two sides have been making progress on a new deal. Carolina has until 4 pm EST on Monday to tag Hardy.
Hardy, 25, is looking to cash in after notching 26 sacks over the past two seasons telling reporters he wanted “big money.”
The Panthers recently restructured the deals of center Ryan Kalil, running back Jonathan Stewart and linebacker Thomas Davis. They cleared up $7.25 million with those moves.
Whether or not a long-term deal gets worked out its hard to imagine Hardy not playing for the Panthers next season.
