GregR
Footballguy
Development in the Brees contract saga, as the arbitrator ruled that the Chargers having previously franchise tagged Brees counts towards the limit of 3 times a player can be tagged... and also gives a big bump to the salary he'd have to be offered should he be tagged for the 3rd and final time in 2013.
Definitely gives Brees some more negotiating power. Hopefully they get a deal done now.
From ESPN:
Definitely gives Brees some more negotiating power. Hopefully they get a deal done now.
From ESPN:
Drew Brees wins tag ruling
Updated: July 3, 2012, 12:27 PM ET
By Chris Mortensen | ESPN
Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has ruled in favor of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees in his grievance over the designation of his franchise tag.
Burbank's ruling means if Brees does not sign a long-term contract this summer and plays out the 2012 season under his current franchise number, the 2013 season is the last time he can be tagged. In addition, a tag in 2013 would earn him a pay raise of 144 percent.
The NFL Players Association had asked Burbank to determine whether Brees has been hit with the franchise tag in 2012 for a first or second time, because the language in the collective bargaining agreement is vague.
The Saints placed their exclusive rights tag on Brees earlier this offseason, but his first team, the San Diego Chargers, placed the tag on Brees in 2005 after his rookie contract expired.
The union's position is the CBA intended for a player to be franchised no more than three times, regardless of which team places the tags.
In making his ruling, Burbank said all franchise tags will be viewed this way in the future.
Brees' current tag is worth $16.371 million, which won't change with the ruling. However, taking into account the 144 percent raise, a would-be tag in 2013 would put Brees' cap number at $23,574,240, according to ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton. If the Saints chose to use their exclusive-rights tag on Brees in 2013, that would put his two-year earnings at $39,945,240, or a little less than $20 million per year.
The NFL declined comment on Burbank's finding or whether it intends to appeal, which the league could do.
The Saints and Brees are locked in a protracted contract battle and have until July 16 to hammer out a long-term extension.
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