Adam Schefter over at NFL.com is reporting that Carolina is making a strong a push to sign free-agent offensive tackle Jordan Gross by Thursday, which is the last day a franchise tag can be used.  If Gross is signed,  it would enable Carolina to slap the tag on Julius Peppers even though Peppers stated that he will seek a trade if he is tagged.

Schefter also reports, “The Panthers and Gross have made significant progress on a contract, and some expect a deal to be finalized this week, league sources said Monday night.  The deal would pay Gross in the neighborhood of $9 million per year.”