First off, a quick rundown of all the possible outcomes regarding the NFL franchise tag.
When it comes to theexclusivefranchise tag, that means a player cannot negotiate with other teams.
Then there’s the rarer transition tag, which gives players free rein to negotiate with other suitors.
With that in mind, we have several NFL teams approaching critical crossroads this offseason.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks - Signs multi-year extension
Let’s start with a positive outcome!
Like the Chiefs, the Seahawks just had a remarkable crop of rookies come through in 2022.
They could have something truly special with another strong draft this year.
The Deshaun Watson fully-guaranteed $230 million deal may have thrown the QB market all out of wack.
No other owner is keen to make a 100% guaranteed mega extension the new precedent.
Seems like too smart of an organization to fuck this situation up this badly.
Baltimore can also maximize its return in a blockbuster deal this way.
It’d make for an incredible subplot to free agency and the draft if it drags on that long.
Saquon had two banged-up seasons before returning to form in a big way in 2022.
He was the focal point of the Giants' offense with 1,312 yards rushing and 57 receptions.
I’d dish out something like a three-year, $40 million offer.
I don’t think anyone is sacrificing two first-round picks for him.
Or at least that’s my assumption of what New York’s brass thinks of Jones.
I think this dude gets way too much heat for how his career started.
Suddenly you get Coach of the Year Brian Daboll and play-caller Mike Kafka in there, and behold!
Danny Dimes can play!
Can he really keep running for over 700 yards and seven scores per season going forward?
Even if it’s nowhere nearthe reported $45 million per yearhe’s wanting.
They inherited Josh Jacobs and declined his fifth-year option right out of the gates.
All he proceeded to do was become the NFL rushing champion.
Why not ride Jacobs for one more season?
Instead, Jacobs returns to an offense where he enjoyed his most production.
They need a quarterback and aren’t high enough in the draft to get one of the top prospects.
I’d strongly consider a low-key tank season if I were the Saints.
Blow the thing up and start over.
They can’t pay Davenport the top-market money he’ll want.
They’re almost $31 million in the red in 2023 salary cap space.
In the end, I think Poyer takes a “hometown discount” to remain in Buffalo.
A perfect fit for Falcons coach Arthur Smith’s run-heavy system.
It’s a nice reward for the one-year prove-it deal he signed last free agency.
That’s especially so with Trevor Lawrence’s extension negotiations beginning next offseason.
