Even though it may be a bogus gesture under the NEXT collective bargaining agreement, six teams have already placed the franchise tag on some of their big-name players. Three other teams have pretty much guaranteed that they will be applying their tags soon.
The following player have received the “franchise tag” by their respective teams:
Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles; Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts; Haloti Ngata – Baltimore Ravens; David Harris – New York Jets; Logan Mankins – New England Patriots (non-exclusive); Vincent Jackson – San Diego Chargers (non-exclusive).
Yes, you read that correctly… the San Diego Chargers placed the franchise tag on Vincent Jackson, the very same player they have been in a pissing match with over the past few seasons regarding salary.
An “exclusive” franchise player is not free to sign with another club, where a non-exclusive tagged player is, but their team is compensated for the loss. A franchise tagged player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. In the case of Peyton Manning, should the tag stick and a new deal isn’t reached, he would stand to make $23.07 million in 2011, which is 120% of his 2010 salary.
The deadline to apply any of the contract tags is February 24th. Reports have LaMarr Woodley being tagged by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tamba Hali by the Kansas City Chiefs and wide receiver Sidney Rice by the Minnesota Vikings.
The Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks have indicated they will not tag anyone this offseason.
