Thread: Bears won't use franchise tag

Well, in that case, PAY THE MAN!

I don't know how he can write something that says two different things. I'll highlight them. So what it really says is they won't be using a franchise tag on anyone whom they have not expended every effort to re-sign. That it's a "last resort". Of course it is or the guy would be re-signed.

It's far better for the Bears if they don't have to franchise Forte. That would probably about double his cap cost for 2012. So maybe Emery has decided to stop all the saber rattling and get down to the nuts and bolts of getting a deal with Forte done. It's hard to work on the rest of the deals for other FA's without knowing the price tag of this one.

I think one of us pointed this out before. Forte's new deal is the elephant in the room. It won't go away so it can't be ignored. Look for something to break soon.

Edit: they could potentially put a transition tag on him so he can attract offers which the Bears can either choose to match or let him go for draft picks and since FA predates the draft those picks will come this year. Just a thought.


Bears won't use franchise tag

February, 11, 2011 2/11/11
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By Kevin Seifert


As we discussed Thursday, NFL teams can affix the franchise tag on players through Feb. 24. Friday, the Chicago Bears announced they will pass.

Here's what Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com wrote:

I've been informed that the Bears will not use a franchise tag on any of their players this offseason. (Franchise tags require teams to pay players a one-year salary that's equal to the average of the top five highest-paid players at their position in the NFL.) Philosophically, the Bears don't believe in doing so because it prevents players from testing the open market -- which they've earned the right to do. Spending an inordinate amount of money on a one-year deal also strangles the salary cap, making it much more difficult to sign other players. The Bears believe in rewarding their own, but they look at the franchise tag as a last resort after they've done everything possible to try to re-sign a player. Since Jerry Angelo was hired as general manager in 2001, the only franchise tag the Bears have utilized was on linebacker Lance Briggs in 2007.

Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com has reported the Detroit Lions won't use the franchise tag, either. The intentions of the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are less clear.

WOW !

Just goes to show just how slow it is when Siefert is quoting Mayer in his blog !

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

No draft, combine or FA to talk about, so lets reword the Forte/Bears issue. That's what I took from this.

It does sound like they might be heading in more of a direction to try and sign him, which is not where JA was heading while he was here. So that is a good thing.

Originally Posted by omc1969

WOW !

Just goes to show just how slow it is when Siefert is quoting Mayer in his blog !

LOL, yeah that is strange isn't it?

The Bears would have to be crazy to not at least put a non-exclusive tag on him. That way he can go shop himself and if the Bears don't want to match they'll get two 1st rounders for him. They may just do that.

Originally Posted by soulman

LOL, yeah that is strange isn't it?

The Bears would have to be crazy to not at least put a non-exclusive tag on him. That way he can go shop himself and if the Bears don't want to match they'll get two 1st rounders for him. They may just do that.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the route they go. I'd rather him be franchised though so he can't go anywhere.

I'm still in awe that Forte didn't take the deal he was offered last year. I don't know how much he will end up getting, but I can't imagine that it will ever make up for the amount he lost last year by not signing a contract.

Originally Posted by blinddeafmute

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the route they go. I'd rather him be franchised though so he can't go anywhere.

I'm still in awe that Forte didn't take the deal he was offered last year. I don't know how much he will end up getting, but I can't imagine that it will ever make up for the amount he lost last year by not signing a contract.

Well we don't know exactly what they offered but the rumors have said about $14 mil give or take. If he's looking for $20 mil or more he'll make that up this year. I don't see the Bears reaching that high though.

If they put him out there as a non-exclusive rights FA and teams would have to give up high picks I think that will limit what he'll be offered. Whatever the case the Bears are still in the drivers seat since they can match the offer or take the picks. It's actually kind of a win/win if I read it right.

Edit: I meant $14 mil or $20 mil in guarantees, not the entire deal.