Some Carolina players went to Richardson after Hardy's charges were dropped asking him to reconsider his stance on their teammate, who received $13.1 million from the Panthers last season despite playing only one game.
Panthers cornerback Josh Norman told ESPN.com that he and many of his teammates, as well as many on the coaching staff, wanted Hardy re-signed. "I don't know how that went down with Mr. Richardson,'' Norman said. "I know as far as the Panthers, coach and the players, we definitely wanted him back. I know we wanted him back. We would have tried to do anything to get him back.''