As promised, the Carolina Panthers have started chatting with cornerback Josh Norman's representatives about a long-term contract.

According to a league source, the two sides met Thursday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. They didn't inch all that close deal, but the lines of communication will stay open.

It's unlikely they'll hammer something out by Tuesday afternoon's franchise tag deadline, so Norman's expected to get tagged in the next four days. That will cost the Panthers nearly $14 million, but it also buys them more time.

If a long-term deal isn't reached by July 15, Norman will play the 2016 season under the franchise tag. He would then have a chance to hit the open market, but at 29 years old.

After his breakout season, Norman is probably looking to get paid like one of the top-3 players at his position. Right now, that designation belongs to the Jets' Darrell Revis, the Cardinals' Patrick Peterson and the Seahawks' Richard Sherman. All three have contracts that average at least $14 million per season.