PANTHERS TAG CB NORMAN

charlotte, n. c. » The Panthers applied the nonexclusive franchise tag to all- pro cornerback Josh Norman on Tuesday.

Norman will make $ 13.952 million next season unless he signs a long- term contract. Carolina has until mid- July to negotiate a new deal with Norman.

Since the Panthers used the nonexclusive franchise tag option, other teams can approach him with offers. If an offer is made andCarolina doesn’t match, the Panthers would receive two first- round draft picks as compensation for losing their star cornerback.

Norman said his goal is still to sign a long- term deal.

Chiefs tag safety Berry

B kansas city, mo. » Eric Berry overcame cancer to return to the Chiefs last season.

Now, Kansas City is hopeful he’ll be with the team much longer.

The team placed the franchise tag on the all- pro safety, which means the 27- year- old Berry will make $ 10,806,000 on a one- year contract next season. But both sides have expressed a willingness to work out a long- term deal, and those negotiations are likely to continue for the next couple of months.

Jets tag DE Wilkerson

B new york » The Jets placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.

With the franchise tag, the Jets assure thatWilkerson will not be an unrestricted free agent when the NFL’s signing period begins next week.

Wilkerson will be paid $ 15.701 million for the 2016 season. He has until July 15 to reach a multiyear deal with the Jets, or he must play the season under the tag. The team also could trade him.

Bills release Williams

B buffalo, n. y » High - priced defensive end MarioWilliams is out in Buffalo, while the Bills aren’t giving up on re- signing left offensive tackle Cordy Glenn.

The Bills releasedWilliams and retained the rights to Glenn by designating him their franchise player.

By releasingWilliams, the salary cap- strapped Bills freed up nearly $ 13 million in payroll next season.

Williams was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Texans.

Footnotes.

The Rams placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on cornerback Trumaine Johnson, greatly improving their chances of keeping at least one of their starting cornerbacks during free agency. … The Dolphins placed the transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon. This year’s transition tag number calls for defensive ends to receiver $ 12.734 million. The Associated Press