CHARLOTTE, NC (WCCB Charlotte) –Kawann Short’s payday is coming.
But who will eventually pick up the tab for the pro-bowl defensive tackle Short, who set a franchise record for defensive tackles with 11.0 sacks last year, is the question that continues to lack clarity as each new contract is handed out.
Short is currently playing out the final year of his rookie contract–one that will pay him a base salary of $1.036 million. Philadelphia signed its defensive end, Fletcher Cox, to a 6-year, $103 million with $63 million of it guaranteed. While the two play different positions, there is currently a premium on big, productive defensive linemen in the NFL.
And Panthers coach Ron Rivera seems baffled by exactly how much teams are willing to pay.
“It’s the hard part right now, it’s what’s going on in the league,” Rivera said. “Some of these contracts are unbelievable from what I’m seeing and hearing.”
Rivera’s comments on the financial side of the sport remained brief as he admitted to ‘staying in his lane’ and wants to be a neutral party in case a player came to him looking for advice.
Kawann Short declined to speak with reporters after Tuesday’s first mandatory mini-camp practice. Short’s presence, however, was a welcoming site to teammates.
“It’s definitely great to have KK (Short) back,” linebacker Thomas Davis said. “We know how important (he) is to this football team. Hopefully soon they can get something worked out because he’s a guy that’s definitely deserving of everything that’s about to happen for him.”
The contract side of the game is a piece of the puzzle that players don’t hold against fellow teammates.
“If you are producing and doing the things you are supposed to, they are going to reward you that way. And if not, just like in a business, they will get rid of you,” Davis said. “You have to capitalize on your opportunity when it comes.”
Panthers mini-camp runs through Thursday.
