Monday marks the deadline for franchise players to work out long-term contracts with their respective teams or be forced to play under a one-year contract and potentially become unrestricted free agents after the 2013 season. Unlike in seasons past, there will be very little action up to the afternoon deadline. Here is look at who has been able to reach a compromise, who is close, and who could be among the top 2014 free agents.
Franchise tag deadline 2013: Who’s hoping for a last minute extension
Don’t expect much action on the deadline for franchise players to sign contract extensions before the 2013 season.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Signed
Clady made out well with the Broncos on Sunday, signing a five-year, $57.5 million contract that will make him one of the highest paid offensive linemen in the NFL. His last-minute deal stands as a beacon of hope for the rest of the men on this list. Clady has some injury concerns in the past -- he tore his patellar tendon in 2010 and had shoulder surgery this offseason -- but he has never missed a game for the Broncos and should be a stalwart blindside protector for years to come.
Still hoping
Albert is the next best hope among the league’s franchise players to sign an extension -- at least he is talking with his front office. Clady’s contract could be instructive. Both players are relatively durable and have been solid pass protectors. Albert is two years older, however, and has a franchise left tackle-in-waiting pushing him in Eric Fisher. As of yet, no contract offer from the Chiefs has been reported.
Not looking good
Byrd probably will not be signing an extension Monday. The Bills haven’t even scheduled a meeting with the safety. Byrd also has yet to sign his tender, leaving open the possibility of a holdout to encourage the Bills to compromise. He will make just less than $7 million next season under the franchise tag, which is less than he arguably ought to be paid as one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals would seem to rather “wait and see” how Johnson performs this season rather sign him to a long-term deal before the deadline, according to the SB Nation blog Cincy Jungle. He had a breakout year with 11.5 sacks last season after never recording more than six in his previous three seasons, and the team reportedly wants to make sure that his outburst was not an aberration.
McAfee will play under the Colts’ franchise tag, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. He will be paid nearly $3 million next season as one of the league’s best punters, and the low turnover at his position doesn’t make him a major flight risk for the organization when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2014.
The Bears will not work out any extension for Melton at the last minute, which means the lineman will play under the franchise tag. Last season, there was constant chatter between running back Matt Forte and the organization until he was able to sign an extension at the deadline, so Melton's chances for a new deal appear slim. The Bears may be taking the same approach as the Bengals with Johnson, waiting to see how the young player performs coming off a strong season before committing more resources.
The Cowboys’ situation with Spencer is an odd one. The franchise felt strongly enough about the pass rusher to tag him for a second straight year, attaching a hefty $10.638 million price tag to him this season. At the same time, Spencer and the Cowboys have talked very little about his long-term prospects. Perhaps the team is taking its time to see how Spencer performs in a 4-3 defense this season.
Miami’s defensive tackle has outwardly protested his franchise tag, sitting out all offseason workouts in hopes of landing a long-term offer. The Dolphins are under the salary cap, however, and aren’t feeling any pressure to give a Starks cap-friendly base salary. Starks has missed just four games in nine seasons in the NFL and is just 29 years old, making him a prime candidate for extension. At this time, however, the Dolphins don’t have much incentive to make a deal.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
