Russell Wilson getting the shaft? (1 Viewer)

[TDorBust]

So I just keep seeing articles about Wilson and how there is still no deal for him going into the last year of his contract. With all the talk of him being one of the top young talents in the NFL and how he could be elite (some thinking he already is). Do you think he is getting a bad deal from Seattle right now who refuse to lock down a big time contract with the QB?

I understand Seattle wants to pay a lot of different people and they look at this as the last year of small money paid out to a top QB but it seems like something should be done before week 1.

If you were Wilson would you be committed to going to FA if you dont get a deal before week 1?

If something isn't done before training camp I would expect the line about waiting until the next offseason.

My personal thoughts is just airing out the first day of training camp that he wanted a deal done but Seattle would not pay him like a QB who just helped his team reach two Super Bowls. He is committed to wanting to say in Seattle but since no deal is done he is forced to go into FA next offseason to show his actual value. (They obviously would FA TAG him before letting him go but that could drive a further wedge between the two)

 

[Bucky86]

I feel like we go through something like this every year. It's all posturing from both sides.

 

[B-Deep]

No. This is how the system works

 

[CapnJB]

I haven't been beat over the head with articles about Andrew Luck's contract. What's happening over in Indy?

 

[TDorBust]

I haven't been beat over the head with articles about Andrew Luck's contract. What's happening over in Indy?

I am not positive what the Colts/Luck can do at this point but Luck is signed through 2016 where Wilson is only through the 2015 season. Another major difference is that Luck in 2016 (last year of current deal) will make $16 million dollars so I would assume they will get something done next offseason.

Personally I have no issue and I think Luck has less room to talk since its 2 years out still where Wilson is up for FA next year and could look to try and move on forcing the Seahawks to put the tag on him.

 

[sho nuff]

I haven't been beat over the head with articles about Andrew Luck's contract. What's happening over in Indy?

I am not positive what the Colts/Luck can do at this point but Luck is signed through 2016 where Wilson is only through the 2015 season. Another major difference is that Luck in 2016 (last year of current deal) will make $16 million dollars so I would assume they will get something done next offseason.

Personally I have no issue and I think Luck has less room to talk since its 2 years out still where Wilson is up for FA next year and could look to try and move on forcing the Seahawks to put the tag on him.

Yup...and not that they won't pony up to keep Luck...but one has won a title already...time to pay up to keep him.

That said...raw deal? Nah, its how the system works. They are trying to get the lowest deal they can for the guy...best long term to keep the rest of the team together or build.

He wants the most he can get while still being able to have pieces around him.

 

[BoltBacker]

So what exactly is the worry here? He mighy play out his contract and nobody will pay him when he becomes a FA? Do people really think this is going to happen?

When did it become an attack on a player to think they might play the last year of their contract!? It's getting completely ridiculous.

 

[spider321]

I think both sides are waiting for his divorce to be finalized.

I'd imagine Wilson has no desire to share his huge new contract with his estranged wife.

 

[Sabertooth]

He will be the richest player in Nfl history if he hits FA

 

[seahawk 17]

I would choose Wagner over RW in a heart beat.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

I would choose Wagner over RW in a heart beat.

Please stop

 

[*****]

The biggest problem for Wilson is the risk that injury this year harms his contract value, particularly a career ending injury. However, I thought I read that he is taking out an insurance policy and intends to play the final year. This should really be standard for any high end free agent going into their final year.

If he does have insurance, then he has earned his money already. It's just a matter of when he signs and how much he gets.

 

[ImTheScientist]

I would choose Wagner over RW in a heart beat.

stop please

 

[Tau837]

I would choose Wagner over RW in a heart beat.

 

[Freelove]

I would choose Wagner over RW in a heart beat.

Any good GM would. Wilson's a good game manager, and makes excellent use of his athleticism, but the athletic QB skillset ages horribly. Use him up, run him ragged, and if he blows a tire before they need to re-up him that's a him problem, not a them problem. Gets them off cheap, and enables them to spend more to keep the D intact. Any competent QB can run that machine if they keep the in-their-prime guys locked up a while, and most of them won't command 9 figures.

So yeah, keep him cheap one more year, franchise him if necessary the next, and his athletic prime will be all but drained by then anyway.

 

[Old Smiley]

Just checked and it looks like Wilson is still doing Microsoft ads. Does that not strike anybody as dicey? Advantageously small contract with team, supplemented by endorsement deal with owner's company?

Really, I'm just asking. I don't know the particulars.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

I would choose Wagner over RW in a heart beat.

Any good GM would. Wilson's a good game manager, and makes excellent use of his athleticism, but the athletic QB skillset ages horribly. Use him up, run him ragged, and if he blows a tire before they need to re-up him that's a him problem, not a them problem. Gets them off cheap, and enables them to spend more to keep the D intact. Any competent QB can run that machine if they keep the in-their-prime guys locked up a while, and most of them won't command 9 figures.

So yeah, keep him cheap one more year, franchise him if necessary the next, and his athletic prime will be all but drained by then anyway.

Sure glad you aren't an NFL GM. Your eye for football seems suspect.

At no point is this a Wagner or Wilson choice. There is cap room for both.

 

[Tau837]

I would choose Wagner over RW in a heart beat.

Any good GM would. Wilson's a good game manager, and makes excellent use of his athleticism, but the athletic QB skillset ages horribly. Use him up, run him ragged, and if he blows a tire before they need to re-up him that's a him problem, not a them problem. Gets them off cheap, and enables them to spend more to keep the D intact. Any competent QB can run that machine if they keep the in-their-prime guys locked up a while, and most of them won't command 9 figures.

So yeah, keep him cheap one more year, franchise him if necessary the next, and his athletic prime will be all but drained by then anyway.

Sure glad you aren't an NFL GM. Your eye for football seems suspect. At no point is this a Wagner or Wilson choice. There is cap room for both.

 

[Sabertooth]

They will resign him. I think we've already seen the clock strike midnight on the Seahawks. Russell #### the bed on their best chance to win another one.

Packers are going to Crush them this year. No more miracles left for these birds.

 

[BoltBacker]

Just checked and it looks like Wilson is still doing Microsoft ads. Does that not strike anybody as dicey? Advantageously small contract with team, supplemented by endorsement deal with owner's company?

Really, I'm just asking. I don't know the particulars.

I think you make a great point, but this is a bad example. Microsoft is hardly Allen's company at this point. He may still own a ton of stock but he's been pretty removed from the company for more than a decade. I am not even sure how many people that are actually making those decisions are left from the days of Paul Allen at Microsoft.

 

[Sabertooth]

Yeah I doubt he has anything at all to do with Microsoft.

 

[sho nuff]

Yeah I doubt he has anything at all to do with Microsoft.

How about him doing commercials and hoating the Nickelodeon kid's choice sports awards?

Surely there is something shady there...

 

[TDorBust]

Just checked and it looks like Wilson is still doing Microsoft ads. Does that not strike anybody as dicey? Advantageously small contract with team, supplemented by endorsement deal with owner's company?

Really, I'm just asking. I don't know the particulars.

I think you make a great point, but this is a bad example. Microsoft is hardly Allen's company at this point. He may still own a ton of stock but he's been pretty removed from the company for more than a decade. I am not even sure how many people that are actually making those decisions are left from the days of Paul Allen at Microsoft.

I didnt even think of that, but like anything it needs to be a 100% rule on the matter as there would like never be a chance to prove it either way.

So are we okay with players getting endorsement deals on the side?

Think if Phil Knight or Mark Parker from Nike bought the Chargers and went on to give one of the best QBs a massive endorsement contract for their product with a lower than average salary. I dont think this applies here as Wilson will get top money I would assume but its something interesting to think about.

 

[Sabertooth]

Yeah I doubt he has anything at all to do with Microsoft.

How about him doing commercials and hoating the Nickelodeon kid's choice sports awards?

Surely there is something shady there...

I didn't say there was anything shady. Just looks a little weird.

 

[cr8f]

Yeah I doubt he has anything at all to do with Microsoft.

How about him doing commercials and hoating the Nickelodeon kid's choice sports awards?

Surely there is something shady there...

Shady how. How would this shady activity manifest itself? How would doing ads hurt the NFL?

 

[cr8f]

They will resign him. I think we've already seen the clock strike midnight on the Seahawks. Russell #### the bed on their best chance to win another one.

Packers are going to Crush them this year. No more miracles left for these birds.

Hope so, but with their failures at QB there is no way they are letting him get away. They j=ust want a deal that does't hurt signing other key players like Bobby Wagner.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Yeah I doubt he has anything at all to do with Microsoft.

How about him doing commercials and hoating the Nickelodeon kid's choice sports awards?

Surely there is something shady there...

Shady how. How would this shady activity manifest itself? How would doing ads hurt the NFL?

I believe they are referring to the possibility of circumventing the salary cap.

 

[Sabertooth]

They will resign him. I think we've already seen the clock strike midnight on the Seahawks. Russell #### the bed on their best chance to win another one.

Packers are going to Crush them this year. No more miracles left for these birds.

Hope so, but with their failures at QB there is no way they are letting him get away. They j=ust want a deal that does't hurt signing other key players like Bobby Wagner.

Yeah I don't see how they let him walk. No way. But they are going to pay him. The 12's seem to think Russell is going to give a home town discount or something. I hope he doesn't. This is his best chance to truly strike a phenomenal deal. Hope he doesn't throw it away.

 

[sho nuff]

Yeah I doubt he has anything at all to do with Microsoft.

How about him doing commercials and hoating the Nickelodeon kid's choice sports awards?Surely there is something shady there...

Shady how. How would this shady activity manifest itself? How would doing ads hurt the NFL?

I believe they are referring to the possibility of circumventing the salary cap.

I was just joking.

 

[Old Smiley]

Oh you.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Yeah I doubt he has anything at all to do with Microsoft.

How about him doing commercials and hoating the Nickelodeon kid's choice sports awards?Surely there is something shady there...

Shady how. How would this shady activity manifest itself? How would doing ads hurt the NFL?

I believe they are referring to the possibility of circumventing the salary cap.

I was just joking.

I know that you were joking, but I thought that Old Smiley was raising the question in general, and TDorBust followed up on that.

I don't know if it's legal in football, but Albert Pujols has a 10-year, $10 million services contract that starts at the end of his current contract (when he will certainly be retired). There is lots of innuendo thrown around about Dirk Nowitzki having that kind of wink-wink deal with the Mavs, and I think people have maybe even suggested it with Brady. Anyway, it is an interesting sidenote for possible compensation.

 

[RUSF18]

It wouldn't be legal in football, but I've always wondered how (if) the league ensures money isn't being passed between related entities and players off the books. Basically seems like they'd be relying on banking AML controls to possibly throw a flag.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

They will resign him. I think we've already seen the clock strike midnight on the Seahawks. Russell #### the bed on their best chance to win another one.

Packers are going to Crush them this year. No more miracles left for these birds.

Hope so, but with their failures at QB there is no way they are letting him get away. They j=ust want a deal that does't hurt signing other key players like Bobby Wagner.

Yeah I don't see how they let him walk. No way. But they are going to pay him. The 12's seem to think Russell is going to give a home town discount or something. I hope he doesn't. This is his best chance to truly strike a phenomenal deal. Hope he doesn't throw it away.

While I think this is a great opportunity for RW and in no way should take a home town discount, I think he will try and negotiate a contract with less years so he can sign another big one in the prime of his career (ie. 4 year contract).

Any fans who think that players should take a hometown discount are naïve.

 

[FUBAR]

They will resign him. I think we've already seen the clock strike midnight on the Seahawks. Russell #### the bed on their best chance to win another one.

Packers are going to Crush them this year. No more miracles left for these birds.

Hope so, but with their failures at QB there is no way they are letting him get away. They j=ust want a deal that does't hurt signing other key players like Bobby Wagner.

Yeah I don't see how they let him walk. No way. But they are going to pay him. The 12's seem to think Russell is going to give a home town discount or something. I hope he doesn't. This is his best chance to truly strike a phenomenal deal. Hope he doesn't throw it away.

While I think this is a great opportunity for RW and in no way should take a home town discount, I think he will try and negotiate a contract with less years so he can sign another big one in the prime of his career (ie. 4 year contract).

Any fans who think that players should take a hometown discount are naïve.

Depends on the circumstances and how much of a discount.

A player like RW, who has a good chance ay multiple super bowls, should be even more marketable than he is right now, and a long term career after football in Seattle, imo would probably be better off taking a million or so less than he would get from a bad franchise.

Not as much "hometown discount" as "taking less money in a contract when I'm likely to make up for it elsewhere".

 

[Sabertooth]

Yeah that kind of thing I can see.

 

[KellysHeroes]

I think both sides are waiting for his divorce to be finalized.

I'd imagine Wilson has no desire to share his huge new contract with his estranged wife.

If she awarded alimony it doesn't matter, she can always take him back to court.

 

[Tool]

I find this all very interesting. Seems a little hard to believe Seattle would let him go and possibly have to go back to someone like Matt Flynn or Matt Cassell. Would take some balls for sure. Seattle's basically saying they're not going to be held hostage by these escalating contracts and that they won't pay more than what they think he's worth.

 

[Sabertooth]

Then they better think he's worth 20+ per season or he's going to be playing for the Cardinals next season. That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

 

[Sweet Love]

I think both sides are waiting for his divorce to be finalized.

I'd imagine Wilson has no desire to share his huge new contract with his estranged wife.

I've been wondering about that too...my guess is that is playing into it somewhat. Normally I wouldn't "feel bad" for a QB in this situation as (1) the contract is not technically over and they can tag him (so it is the system), and (2) most of the time, QBs in this situation are already being paid as high first rounders. This is where I feel for Wilson, since he was not a first rounder, therefore, he is not making millions in his prime like a lot of other, lesser QBs. Timing is such a key ingredient in regards to how much these guys get paid.

 

[Tau837]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

 

[cr8f]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

He will make that but how the contract is structured to allow them to sign more players like Bobby Wagner will be up to all of them. I expect a lot of deferred money. They aren't being cheap in my opinion, it's about keeping the cap hit as low as possible.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

I think Seattle has a ton of leverage.

Seattle has Wilson for a minimum of three years without ever needing a long term contract.

2015: $1.5 million (rookie deal)

2016 - ~$22.5 million (franchise tag QB amount. QB tag in 2015 is $18.5 million )

2017 - ~$27 million (120% of previous year)

The Seahawks have Wilson for an average of $17 million for the next three years. What is really in it for the Seahawks if Wilson wants to be paid like a top 5 QB similarly to what a franchise tag would be? The Seahawks have until the 2018 offseason to really strike a long-term deal if they want. That puts all the risk on Wilson to continue his success and to not get injured. Not only that but he doesn't get any huge signing bonus earlier in time.

 

[Jeremy]

I find this all very interesting. Seems a little hard to believe Seattle would let him go and possibly have to go back to someone like Matt Flynn or Matt Cassell. Would take some balls for sure. Seattle's basically saying they're not going to be held hostage by these escalating contracts and that they won't pay more than what they think he's worth.

If that's the case, perhaps they'll apply the non-exclusive franchise tag on him. A QB desperate team would gladly part with 2 firsts for the right to pay him what...$25 million a year?

 

[BoltBacker]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

We have been through all this before but Wilson has NO leverage this year. He has NO leverage in 2016. He has SOME leverage in 2017. He has all the leverage in 2018. Big difference.

What was it two years ago that Robert Griffin III was a lock to get a maxed out franchise QB deal? Things change fast in the NFL. Who knows how things will stand in 2018? If anyone honestly thinks they can see that far into the future they probably shouldn't be wasting their time on a message board.

 

[cr8f]

Right now? Sure he's been underpaid but think he knows he's under contract and will be paid soon enough.

 

[Sabertooth]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

I think Seattle has a ton of leverage.

Seattle has Wilson for a minimum of three years without ever needing a long term contract.

2015: $1.5 million (rookie deal)

2016 - ~$22.5 million (franchise tag QB amount. QB tag in 2015 is $18.5 million )

2017 - ~$27 million (120% of previous year)

The Seahawks have Wilson for an average of $17 million for the next three years. What is really in it for the Seahawks if Wilson wants to be paid like a top 5 QB similarly to what a franchise tag would be? The Seahawks have until the 2018 offseason to really strike a long-term deal if they want. That puts all the risk on Wilson to continue his success and to not get injured. Not only that but he doesn't get any huge signing bonus earlier in time.

I don't think that gives the Seahawks any leverage at all. That's not a great scenario for them because they are eating the full cap hit in both 2016 and 2017. That situation is worst case scenario from a 2016 and 2017 cap standpoint.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

I think Seattle has a ton of leverage.

Seattle has Wilson for a minimum of three years without ever needing a long term contract.

2015: $1.5 million (rookie deal)

2016 - ~$22.5 million (franchise tag QB amount. QB tag in 2015 is $18.5 million )

2017 - ~$27 million (120% of previous year)

The Seahawks have Wilson for an average of $17 million for the next three years. What is really in it for the Seahawks if Wilson wants to be paid like a top 5 QB similarly to what a franchise tag would be? The Seahawks have until the 2018 offseason to really strike a long-term deal if they want. That puts all the risk on Wilson to continue his success and to not get injured. Not only that but he doesn't get any huge signing bonus earlier in time.

I don't think that gives the Seahawks any leverage at all. That's not a great scenario for them because they are eating the full cap hit in both 2016 and 2017. That situation is worst case scenario from a 2016 and 2017 cap standpoint.

Wilson's leverage comes down to getting to free agency and having other suitors be involved. The above scenario gives the Seahawks leverage because it doesn't allow Wilson to hit the open market and locks in Wilson to only negotiate with the Seahawks.

Looking at it from a one year cap space standpoint, if Wilson is looking for a top 5 QB contract then what do the Seahawks really lose with franchise tagging him? Franchise tag is the average of the top 10 players at QB. It would be a long-term contract with a cap hit fairly close to the franchise tag amount anyway. It is the 120% escalator in future years which doesn't make it feasible.

 

[Tau837]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

I think Seattle has a ton of leverage.

Seattle has Wilson for a minimum of three years without ever needing a long term contract.

2015: $1.5 million (rookie deal)

2016 - ~$22.5 million (franchise tag QB amount. QB tag in 2015 is $18.5 million )

2017 - ~$27 million (120% of previous year)

The Seahawks have Wilson for an average of $17 million for the next three years. What is really in it for the Seahawks if Wilson wants to be paid like a top 5 QB similarly to what a franchise tag would be? The Seahawks have until the 2018 offseason to really strike a long-term deal if they want. That puts all the risk on Wilson to continue his success and to not get injured. Not only that but he doesn't get any huge signing bonus earlier in time.

I think some of this is a semantics discussion. To have leverage in a negotiation means using an advantage to obtain a desired result that couldn't be obtained without that advantage.

The Seahawks' ability to franchise Wilson does not give them any advantage in negotiations. Wilson will get paid as a top 5 QB starting next season, one way or another, whether by the Seahawks or another franchise, and that should continue for several years. There is no reason for him to accept a lesser contract value.

I am assuming that Wilson does not suffer an injury serious enough to drastically alter or end his career, which seems like a very safe bet. I am also assuming he will not suffer a serious and sustained regression in his play. I assume others see these as much bigger risks than I do, and that is why they feel Seattle has leverage over Wilson. I suspect he is taking my view and is perfectly willing to bet on himself to succeed and avoid catastrophic injury.

In my view, that gives Wilson the leverage. The pricetag on a long term contract will only increase over time, as will the franchise tag value. So waiting will cost Seattle more money but will not cost Wilson any money. Not getting a big signing bonus now doesn't matter much, as he is set to either make nearly $50M in 2016 and 2017 and/or get that huge signing bonus then.

Given these facts, there is no reason for Wilson to settle for less than full market value (i.e., top 5 QB money). He doesn't have to settle at all, and he will start getting paid at that level next year, one way or another.

Perhaps this doesn't represent a terrible outcome for Seattle, either, if they are willing to exchange paying him more long term for getting to see him produce for 1-3 more years and see him not get injured during that time before committing to a large long term contract. But I believe there has only been one instance of a QB playing a season under the franchise tag, and I don't think there has ever been a case of a QB playing two seasons under the tag. I assume this is because if it is worthwhile to pay a QB top 5 money under the franchise tag, it is typically more economical to sign him to a long term deal. And that also avoids any rift developing between the QB and the franchise, which can only hurt the team.

 

[Tau837]

That's the thing, they don't get to make that decision with Wilson. He does.

Exactly. Wilson has all of the leverage. He will make $20M+ next season, one way (long term contract) or another (franchise tag). The only thing that would stop that is if he suffers a very serious injury, but it would have to be an injury that is career altering/threatening to really jeopardize his future earnings, and that is very rare.

We have been through all this before but Wilson has NO leverage this year. He has NO leverage in 2016. He has SOME leverage in 2017. He has all the leverage in 2018. Big difference.

What was it two years ago that Robert Griffin III was a lock to get a maxed out franchise QB deal? Things change fast in the NFL. Who knows how things will stand in 2018? If anyone honestly thinks they can see that far into the future they probably shouldn't be wasting their time on a message board.

Apples and oranges. Griffin played one good season, as a rookie. Wilson has 3 seasons behind him. Furthermore, Griffin has proven to have some significant deficiencies, including as a runner (can't protect himself), passer (lots), and as a leader (self-absorbed diva). Wilson doesn't have any of those issues.

There is no guarantee that Wilson won't regress or get seriously hurt, but the odds seem pretty low.

 

[Tau837]

Wilson's leverage comes down to getting to free agency and having other suitors be involved. The above scenario gives the Seahawks leverage because it doesn't allow Wilson to hit the open market and locks in Wilson to only negotiate with the Seahawks.

Disagree completely. This presupposes that the player is not content to play under the franchise tag. Wilson will get top 5 money under the tag, once or twice, and then hit the open market in his late twenties or get a long term contract from Seattle at a higher market value than exists today. I don't understand why people aren't grasping this.

Looking at it from a one year cap space standpoint, if Wilson is looking for a top 5 QB contract then what do the Seahawks really lose with franchise tagging him? Franchise tag is the average of the top 10 players at QB. It would be a long-term contract with a cap hit fairly close to the franchise tag amount anyway. It is the 120% escalator in future years which doesn't make it feasible.

The franchise tag is the average of the top 5 players, not the top 10. So he will be paid equivalent to QB3 or so under the franchise tag in 2016. Then up by 120% if he is franchised again. Then up 144% if he is franchised again (which pretty much guarantees a third tag won't happen).

From a cap standpoint, a long term contract at full market value would likely result in a lower cap hit in the early years like 2016 and 2017 than the franchise tag cap hits. Not sure it would be enough of a difference to matter, but it could be the difference in keeping one veteran player or letting him go, for example.