CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Defensive end Greg Hardy isn't opposed to having the franchise tag placed on him if that's what it takes to remain with the Carolina Panthers after this season.

Greg Hardy says he feels a sense of loyalty to the Panthers and therefore wouldn't mind receiving the franchise tag if it keeps him in Carolina next season. Grant Halverson/Getty Images

"I would love a franchise, man,'' Hardy said Wednesday. "Add another year on my career. Get to play football a little bit longer without a contract. Another year to be in Carolina just to get them a chance to get their fiscal responsibilities in order so we can be here forever, like Steve [Smith] and a lot of other guys.''

The tag price for a defensive end in 2014 should be a slight increase over this season's $11,170,000. Hardy, a sixth-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2010, is making $1.35 million in the final year of his rookie deal.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the team began talking about an extension before the season after Hardy had 11 sacks in 2012. Nothing got done. Hardy's value has increased the past few weeks after being named to his first Pro Bowl and tying the franchise season record with 15 sacks, including seven the past two weeks.

Hardy has made it clear he wants to remain in Carolina and is willing to take less (within reason) from the Panthers than what other teams might offer. The free-agent signing period begins March 11.

The franchise tag might help the Panthers (12-4) get in a better position to sign Hardy to a more lucrative long-term deal after next season. General manager Dave Gettleman has renegotiated deals to take the team from more than $16 million over the salary cap to more than $17 million under it since being hired in January.

He likely will need some of that to negotiate a long-term deal for quarterback Cam Newton if the team doesn't exercise its fifth-year option on the first pick of the 2011 draft.