Sources: Panthers sign DT Kawann Short to 5-year, $80M deal

— -- The Carolina Panthers have signed star defensive lineman Kawann Short to a five-year, $80 million contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Panthers used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Short on Feb. 27 and had until July 15 to sign him to a long-term contract.

Short, whose production dropped from a team-high 11 sacks in 2015 to six this past season, said he wanted to remain with the Panthers even if it meant the franchise tag.

Coach Ron Rivera also has said that the former Purdue star was "too important of a player'' for Carolina not to re-sign.

Short, selected in the second-round of the 2013 draft, has 22 career sacks, 179 tackles, six forced fumbles and five fumble returns.

ESPN's David Newton contributed to this report.