After ceasing contract talks with Brian Burns Sunday, the Carolina Panthers have franchise-tagged the Pro Bowl-caliber defender, Dan Graziano and Adam Schefter reported Tuesday morning. 

The tag is worth $24 million, and it ensures Burns will return to the Panthers after contract talks stalled in recent weeks. It is also a non-exclusive tag, meaning Burns can negotiate with other teams, but the Panthers have a right to match any offer he receives.

The move comes after Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said he was willing to do "whatever it takes" to bring Burns back for another season at the NFL Scouting Combine last week.  

Burns, for weeks, has been in a contract standoff with the Panthers. 

He was seeking a deal in the range of $30 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid pass rushers in the league. 

The Panthers were only willing to give him a contract in the range of $27 million per year, according to reports from The Athletic. 

Now, after a down season, the Panthers won't lose Burns for nothing. The franchise tag doesn't take the idea of a trade with a possible Burns suitor off the table. But it buys Carolina a little more time to figure out a way forward out of this mess. 

Carolina Panthers make surprising but necessary move with Pro Bowl-caliber defender

The Carolina Panthers informed Brian Burns Sunday, two days ahead of the franchise-tag deadline, that they will not continue contract talks with his representatives at this time, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson said.