The Panthers are comfortable going into the season with cornerback Josh Norman playing under the franchise tag, but the goal remains to get a long-term deal. Will they get one? ESPN.com's David Newton and John Clayton discuss. (2:17)

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- It's starting to look as though the Carolina Panthers may not reach a long-term deal with cornerback Josh Norman before the July 15 deadline.

The two sides continue to discuss a four-year deal but aren't remotely close on terms, according to a league source. They're so far apart that Norman hasn't signed the franchise tag that guarantees him $13,952,000 in 2016.

Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman said on Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting that his goal remains to get a long-term deal, but he's comfortable if Norman plays with the tag.

"Ron [Rivera] and I are very comfortable with it," Gettleman said of himself and the fifth-year head coach. "We talked about it at length."

"He understands where I'm at. I understand where he's at," Panthers GM Dave Gettleman said of an extension for Josh Norman. "We respect each other's stance and we'll just see if we can get [it] done." Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Gettleman isn't concerned that Norman's situation will become a distraction even though the 2016 Pro Bowl selection could opt not to participate in offseason workouts and a June minicamp if he hasn't signed the tag.

By not signing, Norman wouldn't be subject to fines for missing the minicamp.

"Josh is a pro and I don't think there'll be any issues," Gettleman said. "He and I had a great conversation before I put the tag on him. He understands where I'm at. I understand where he's at. We respect each other's stance and we'll just see if we can get [it] done."

Gettleman also wants to sign Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short to a long-term deal that likely will count $15 million to $16 million under the salary cap.

Knowing Gettleman's affinity toward building around big men, it wouldn't be a stretch to say extending Short is a priority before the 2013 second-round pick gets to the final year of his rookie deal this year.

The Panthers currently are about $18.2 million under the cap, but Gettleman likes to keep about $7 million to sign draft picks and for picking up players because of injuries.

Asked if extending Short's deal would have an impact on what happens with Norman, Gettleman said: "I have to make decisions based on the best interests of the Panthers. We have a philosophy moving forward. We've tagged Josh. We have the intention of having him play for us and we'd like to get a long-term deal done. Time will tell. Contracts get done when they're supposed to get done."