Kawaan Short hopeful of new deal but willing to play out contract

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short says he is willing to play under the final year of his rookie contract if a long-term extension can't be reached before the end of training camp.

"It's not about the contract,'' the 2013 second-round pick said on Monday after reporting to training camp at Wofford College. "I started up with this team and I love the Carolina Panthers. I love the organization. Hopefully, things will get done.''

Short, who tied Cincinnati's Geno Atkins for the most sacks (11) by a defensive tackle last season, is scheduled to make just over $1 million this season.

Based on recent extensions by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, the going rate for a player of Short's caliber is $17.2 million a year.

The Panthers are believed to be offering Short somewhere between $13 and $15 million a year.

Short smiled when asked about the Cox and Wilkerson deals.

"Just to see those guys rewarded like that, it's a blessing,'' he said. "Those guys have been working hard. They deserved it. I'm happy to see they got it.''

Asked if he considered himself along the same caliber as Cox and Wilkerson, Short said, "I'm working to that level.''

Short reported for a three-day mini-camp in June and never hedged on reporting to training camp. He did sit out two weeks of non-mandatory workouts, his only leverage in negotiations.

"It's a process,'' said Short, the first time he's discussed his situation since skipping OTAs. "We've got to go through it. I'm just here to play football now.''

Asked whether this put him in an uncomfortable situation, Short said: "Uncomfortable? It's a good uncomfortable. You want to be in this position, but you also want to get things done. It's going to take time, and I'm patient.''

A year ago, cornerback Josh Norman turned down a long-term extension when the Panthers didn't offer a deal to his liking. He said during training camp he was betting on himself.

Norman made the Pro Bowl, then had the franchise tag placed on him when a deal couldn't be made after the Super Bowl. The Panthers later rescinded the tag, and Norman signed with the Washington Redskins.

Short wouldn't go so far as to say he was betting on himself.

"That's a whole different guy. That's a whole different character,'' he said of Norman. "I can't really put myself in his shoes and what he went through. Everybody is different. I wouldn't say.''