CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman received a 59 percent pay raise for the 2015 season based on playing time in his first three years.

Norman's salary jumped from $660,000 to $1.574 million, an increase triggered by a Proven Performance Escalator written into the 2011 collective bargaining agreement for players drafted between Rounds 3-7.

The escalator goes into effect for playing at least 35 percent of the offensive or defensive snaps in two of the player’s first three seasons.

Norman, selected in the fifth round out of Coastal Carolina in 2012, started 12 games as a rookie and 12 this past season, including two playoff games. He started the final 11 games this season when he emerged as Carolina’s top cornerback, often being used to shadow an opponent’s top receiver.

Norman helped hold Julio Jones to 10 catches for 117 yards and no touchdowns in two games against the Atlanta Falcons' Pro Bowl receiver.

The 6-foot, 195-pound Norman will become an unrestricted free agent after this season, but sources told ESPN.com there already have been preliminary talks about a possible extension.