The Carolina Panthers applied the franchise tag to standout cornerback Josh Norman on Tuesday, guaranteeing he will make at least $13.95 million in 2016.
The Panthers and Norman can still negotiate a long-term contract and have until July 15 to reach an agreement.
Norman, 28, has expressed that he wants to be one of the top-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.
Norman had a career-best four interceptions last season for a Carolina team that reached the Super Bowl before losing to the Denver Broncos. Norman returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns.
Norman has seven interceptions in four NFL seasons.
The 2012 fifth-round pick of Coastal Carolina emerged as a surprise standout for the Panthers after being lightly regarded coming out of college.
Carolina coach Ron Rivera feels Norman is just scratching the surface of his abilities.
“Remember, he didn’t play an awful lot earlier in his career, and then now he’s starting to play a lot,” Rivera told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I’m not concerned that he’s going to be a worn-down body or anything like that.”