Panthers Close on Jordan Gross Contract

The Carolina Panthers have one more major issue to resolve before they try and answer the question of what to do with Julius Peppers and his impending free agency. Namely, they need to figure out what to do with Jordan Gross, who is also on schedule to be free agent.

And it appears, based on reports from Adam Schefter, that the Cats are pushing hard in negotiations and hope to have a deal in place by Thursday so they can utilize their franchise tag on Peppers.

The Panthers and Gross have made significant progress on a contract, and some expect a deal to be finalized this week, league sources said Monday night.

If and when a deal is done, it would pay Gross in the neighborhood of $9 million per year, the second-most lucrative contract for an offensive lineman.

The importance of such a deal cannot be overstated: if the Panthers can't ink Gross, they'll likely have to utilize their franchise tag on the offensive lineman, which would mean that Peppers gets to walk scot free.

Additionally, a strong push to sign Gross could indicate that the Panthers have a prospective trading partner lined up with regard to Peppers -- without any real possibility of moving the disgruntled end, you have to think they'd prefer to use the franchise tag on Gross instead.

Tracking NFL Free Agents

Brandon Jacobs, Running back
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY GIANTS
The Latest: The non-exclusive tag means that Jacobs is still able to sign elsewhere, but would cost two first-round picks as compensation. He'll likely spend at least one more season in New York because of that.

Bill Kostroun, AP

Chris Johnson, Cornerback
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - 4 years, terms not announced
The Latest: Oakland wasted no time locking up Johnson with a multi-year deal, and now can focus all its attention on making sure Nnamdi Asomugha is lined up at the Raiders' other cornerback spot.

Paul Sakuma, AP

Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 14 starts, 51 tackles (41 solo), 8.5 sacks
The Latest: Haynesworth could be the biggest prize to hit the unrestricted free agent market. He's said he would prefer to stay with Tennessee, but the Titans promised not to franchise him again, so they'll have to pay.

Mark Humphrey, AP

Kerry Collins, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 16 games played (15 starts), 2,676 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, 80.2 QB rating
The Latest: Despite his age (36), Collins feels he is in line for a big contract -- comparable to whatever Kurt Warner receives. If Tennessee does not deliver, the Brett Favre-less Jets are a potential home.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 117 tackles (85 solo), 3.5 sacks, 3 INTs
The Latest: The franchise tag rules mean that Lewis would become the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history at more than $11 million if the Ravens went that route. Baltimore would prefer to re-sign Lewis.

Rob Carr, AP

Terrell Suggs, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 68 tackles (53 solo), eight sacks, two INTs
The Latest: Suggs suggested that he, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott all take hometown discounts and stay in Baltimore, so he wants to be there. He's a cheaper franchise tag option than Lewis.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 82 tackles (61 solo), 1.5 sacks
The Latest: Is there room for Scott in Baltimore? With the franchise tag likely landing on Terrell Suggs and the Ravens doing all it takes to sign Ray Lewis, it doesn't look like Scott is a priority.

G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 92 catches for 904 yards, four touchdowns
The Latest: The only way Housh returns is if the Bengals franchise him. Otherwise, he'll sign a lucrative contract elsewhere -- possibly with Philadelphia, where he's already expressed interest in playing.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 40 tackles (33 solo), one interception
The Latest: Asomugha's numbers are skewed by opponents' fear of throwing anywhere near him. The Raiders will use the franchise tag on him if they need to.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

Leroy Hill, Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks
Regular Season Stats: 12 starts, 84 tackles (63 solo), missed four weeks with two separate injuries.
The Latest: Hill was arrested in January on marijuana possession, possibly cooling some interest in him. Seattle has yet to offer Hill a new contract.

Ted S. Warren, AP