2012 NFL Free Agents: Superstars Readying for Franchise Tag

The clock is ticking and there are a number of teams and superstar players still far apart on long-term deals.

Some of the biggest names in the NFL could walk away for nothing this offseason, but the franchise tag will stop that from happening in almost every situation. Each tagged player will earn the average of the top five salaries at the position over the last five years for the 2012 season. The team and player can continue working a long-term deal until July 15.

The stars about to be tagged know damn well that it is on its way.

Drew Brees, QB, Saints

The Saints wanted nothing more than to strike a long-term deal with Brees and use this franchise tag on Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks instead. That doesn't seem to be working out and, according to Jason La Canfora or NFL.com, New Orleans will tag Brees barring some unforeseen breakthrough in negotiations.

Brees knows him receiving the tag hurts this entire ball club. Not only do the Saints have to worry about Nicks, but Marques Colston is also a free agent. 

New Orleans is going to have to make some terribly difficult decisions after it places the tag on Brees.

Ray Rice, RB, Ravens

This is has been coming from miles away and the Carroll County Times reports that Rice will be tagged on Friday.

However, unlike some teams and players who are frustrated, the Ravens and Rice know this is just a means to an end. The two sides can continue negotiating a long-term contract until July 15, and the Ravens know just how valuable he is to their offense.

It honestly wouldn't be surprising if they strike a deal before that mid-summer deadline.

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots

This situation, on the other hand, is one of frustration. The Pats know they cannot lose Welker, but they also do not want to invest too much money and length into his contract.

Bill Belichick is not one for sentimental ties and he won't handicap his team's future to make one receiver happy—even if that receiver is Welker.

Greg Bedard reports that the Pats will likely tag Welker unless there's an unforeseen development in the coming days. However, he also reports that there is a chance that Welker will not sign the franchise tender unless he feels a long-term deal is coming and may opt to take the road Logan Mankins went down in 2010.

The Pro Bowler wound up missing half the season before he was mandated to return to accrue another year toward unrestricted free agency status. 

The 31-year-old Welker, as Bedard points out, wouldn't be mandated to return.

Is Welker really willing to get into a game of chicken with Belichick?

Matt Forte, RB, Bears

The Bears' refusal to pay this man still makes absolutely no sense. He is their best weapon both on the ground and through the air and they literally have nobody else.

The running back franchise tag is very affordable this season at about $7.7 million, but Forte deserves a long-term deal. According to Brad Biggs, coach Lovie Smith believes the two parties will get to one after the tag is applied.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Chiefs will use the tag on the 27-year-old receiver if no deal is reached.

Aside from fantasy football owners (which at this point is basically everyone), Bowe has flown relatively under the radar but is one of the better receivers in the league. With Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki back on the field in 2012, the Chiefs cannot afford to let their top weapon on the outside get away.

Bowe will more than likely find a long-term deal at some point as the Chiefs are more concerned with finding a franchise quarterback. Having an in-house weapon will be a key selling point in that search.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles

After an up-and-down year, the Eagles, as reported by Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, are more than likely to tag their controversial receiver.

However, unlike the aforementioned stars, the Eagles are only doing so to protect themselves. If Jackson is going to leave Philly, they are at least going to get something in return.

Don't expect this team to work on a long-term deal with him this season, but they certainly could franchise him and then trade him away.

This situation is far from pretty and the Eagles are playing a dangerous game.

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