Defensive tackle Kawann Short is entering the final year of his contract with the Panthers and is reportedly skipping some of the team’s OTAs in an effort to get extension talks moving more quickly.
Short isn’t the only player heading into the last year of his deal, but his approach to extending his stay in Carolina isn’t the only one being employed. Left tackle Michael Oher signed a two-year deal with the team before the 2015 season and solidified what had been a trouble spot for the Panthers by starting every game on the way to the Super Bowl. He’s been attending the team’s offseason work and says he’d like to continue spending time with the team for years to come.
“I want to be here,” Oher said, via David Newton of ESPN.com. “Love the organization. It’s such a great organization. You wish you could be a part of this type stuff your whole career.”
Oher’s been in the league long enough for the Panthers to know that he isn’t among the very best tackles in the league, but that means he won’t cost premium money for a left tackle. That would make it easier for the team to find a deal that keeps him among the players up front without limiting too much of what else they can do to add to the roster in the future.
