The offseason is in full swing!!!! In order to enjoy it more, I’ve decided to bring back the FYS news article named Scooped. Today we’ll look around the league at franchise tags and some new contracts for QBs.
Tag N Trade
There probably won’t be any trades but 9 players were given the franchise tag (team gets two first round picks if another team gives an offer) and one player was given the transition tag (team can match any offer).
Von Miller
This was a no brainer for the Broncos to keep their best defensive player and pass rusher. Miller received the exclusive franchise tag and nobody can negotiate with him other than the Broncos. The tag is worth $14,129,000.
Josh Norman
This was another no brainer by GM David Gettleman. Carolina franchise their shut down cornerback to the tune of $13,952,000.00. Norman received the non-exclusive tag so a team could nab Norman with a long term deal and two first round picks.
Cordy Glenn
The Bills keep their stud left tackle for $13,706,000.00. The Bills cut DE Mario Williams to make room for this move.
Alshon Jeffrey
The Bears keep their number one wide out despite his injury history. Jeffrey earns $14,599,000 on the tag. I doubt a team gives up two first round picks for Jeffrey. A tag and trade is possible though as other compensation has been agreed upon in the past for franchised players. The Bears most likely work out a deal with Jeffrey before the July 15 deadline.
Eric Berry
Berry returned from a cancer scare and had a great 2015 season. Berry earned the franchise tag at 10,806,000. However this means Tamba Hali, Sean Smith and Derrick Johnson could be free agents by March 9.
Trumaine Johnson
Both the Rams corners are set to be free agents and the Rams kept Johnson. Johnson is a good cornerback that had a great 2015 season. Janoris Jenkins may become a free agent and apparently negotiations aren’t going well. Expect Jenkins to hit the market.
Muhammed Wilkerson
Wilkerson is a stud 3-4 DE for the Jets. Wilkerson will earn $15,701,000 for the Jets. The tag was not exclusive and a team could give up two 1sts for him but that seems like a lot for a 3-4 DE.
Kirk Cousins
YOU LIKE THAT. Cousins had a great 2015 season replacing RG3 with a strong second half. Cousins earns a cool $19,953,000 for his good season. Franchise QBS are expensive or even QBs thought of as franchise by your franchise.
Olivier Vernon
Vernon got the transition tag only. The Dolphins can match any offer but must pay Vernon $12,734,000 if he remains on the tag. The Dolphins lost Charles Clay to Buffalo on the transition tag last season. I’m sure a DE needy team will give Vernon an offer after several strong sack seasons with the Dolphins. Can the Dolphins matched if they are cap strapped. The Dolphins’ will get cap relief by restructuring Suh’s massive contract.
Justin Tucker
Tucker is a very good kicker for the Ravens. Tucker earns $4,572,000 by kicking a ball well through a giant H. Kudos to Mr. Tucker. If he can hit 60 yarders to beat the Lions on Monday Night Football, he should get paid.
Pay the QB
Sam Bradford earned a two year prove it deal with the Eagles. Bradford received a two year 35 million dollar deal with an 11 million signing bonus and 4 million roster bonus in 2017. Bradford will have a 12.5 million cap hit this season and 22.5 million in 2017. Bradford will count 9.5 million in dead money if cut. This is a smart prove it deal by the Eagles. There is some dead money but Bradford only gets paid franchise QB cap hits if he does well in 2016.
Tom Brady received a two year extension. This puts Brady under contract for four more seasons (until he is 42). This lowers Brady’s base salary and might help Brady if he is suspended lose less money. This will give the Patriots cap space in 2016 and 2017. The details of the deal aren’t available yet but it should have a decent sized bonus and low base salaries.