Greg Hardy is one of the top young defensive ends in the NFL and after a breakout season in 2012 saw the former Ole Miss Rebels product record 11 sacks he took his game to the next level with a 15-sack season in a contract year.
Hardy has mentioned it would be “a big honor” if the Panthers apply the franchise tag to keep him in Carolina for approximately $12 million and that he would be willing to accept “some cut” in his market value to stay with the team that drafted him in the sixth round in the 2010 draft.
So what will it take for Carolina to keep Hardy in a Panthers uniform for the foreseeable future?
Greg Hardy on how Panthers can take next step: "Give me a phone call and offer me a crapload of money. That's all. Nothing too serious."
— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) January 31, 2014
The Panthers gave a crapload of money to fellow end Charles Johnson who signed a six-year, $76 million contract with $30 million in guaranteed money in 2011 after an 11.5-sack season.
The team will have a ‘crapload’ of salary cap space locked up to one position if the team does franchise/resign the player nicknamed ‘The Kraken, but he’s worth it for one of the best defenses in the NFL.