Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has revealed that the team has not yet decided how to use their franchise tag this season.

Defensive end Greg Hardy, who is due to become a free agent next month, has been linked to the single-season deal.

However, Gettleman told reporters: "Every team is going to use everything in their bag to get it done. So, who knows? I don't know.

"We're moving forward. We're waiting to see where the cap number comes in and we'll go from there. It's quiet everywhere. It's not just us, it's everywhere.

"What hasn't happened yet is the agents and the players don't understand that the money isn't there the way it used to be."

Hardy recently said that he is not concerned by contract talks.