Jimmy Graham signs long-term extension with Saints

For those in New Orleans biting their fingernails, take solace in reports that the two sides are expected to come to an 11th-hour deal. Marc Sessler of NFL.com predicts a deal will be reached that makes Graham the highest-paid tight end in the league.

That would be a karmic victory for Graham, who lost roughly $5 million of potential contract money when an arbitrator ruled earlier this month that he should be tagged as a tight end instead of a wide receiver. After the Saints slapped Graham with the tag in March, the star insisted that his production level and positioning on the field meant he should be tagged as a wideout, which carries a one-year salary of $12.3 million.

Graham has 10 days to appeal the decision. He and the Saints have 13 days until the collective bargaining agreement’s July 15 deadline to finalize long-term contracts with players who received the franchise tag this year. Graham could pursue both an appeal and a long-term deal with the Saints.

The decision has ramifications outside of Graham’s situation. Had Graham won, other tight ends could have possibly been in line to change their classifications to wide receiver. Now that he lost, that’s a win for the teams, because it helps them keep more cap space. But as teams utilize tight ends as receivers more and more, grievances like this one could become more frequent.