NFC North Franchise Tag Recap and Free Agency Preview

Yesterday at 4:00PM Eastern time was the deadline for teams to use the franchise tag on one of their players they hope to retain at least for the 2012 season if not beyond. Not every team used the tag, but that's quite telling itself.

Let's take a look at what each team in the NFC North did with their respective franchise tags and what that means for the rest of their free agents.

Chicago Bears

Not surprisingly, the Chicago Bears elected to use their franchise tag on running back Matt Forte, which will potentially earn him $7.7 million in 2012 if Forte and the team don't make an agreement on a long-term deal.

It's not likely that Forte will reach the July 15 deadline without a new contract with the Bears, and now both sides have some guidelines with which they can work now that the Seattle Seahawks have come to an agreement with Marshawn Lynch and the Houston Texans have locked down Arian Foster.

Forte's agent, Adisa Bakari, will likely look to get Forte a deal akin to the one Foster received, worth $43.5 million over five years, with $20.75 million guaranteed ($18 million due him in 2012, which includes a $12.5 million signing bonus).

Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times believes that Lynch's deal, worth $31 million over four years, with $18 million guaranteed, will be the jumping-off point for contract talks.

It's a smart place to start considering Forte's overall value to the Bears is much higher than what Lynch is worth to the Seahawks. I fully expect that Forte gets as much guaranteed money as Foster, but around $34 million in a four-year deal.

Green Bay Packers

Putting the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Flynn was a gamble that the Green Bay Packers ultimately didn't want to take in an attempt to get more in return for the guaranteed-to-depart player. At  the end of the day, the team didn't choose to use the tag on anyone. 

If the Packers didn't tag Flynn, there was still a chance they'd use it on center Scott Wells, who the team has been feverishly trying to lock down to a new contract.

The tag would have paid Wells $8.4 million this year, and it's telling that the team chose not to use it. Clearly, they want to keep him, but he's not worth that kind of payday.

Further, the Packers don't have a glut of cap room to play with and would like to pick up a defender (or two) in free agency if the price is right, or Wells' replacement should he walk.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings also did not use their franchise tag on any of their impending free agents, which is not surprising. Though the team has a lot of free agents, they'd rather retain those who can still contribute at a more affordable price point than what the tag would provide.

Of most concern would be losing outside linebacker Erin Henderson to free agency. Henderson made just $1.5 million in 2011 and could find a better deal elsewhere if the Vikings don't try to re-sign him in the coming days.

They could also lose inside linebacker E.J. Henderson, whose best playing days are behind him but who also provides much-needed veteran leadership.

This is a rebuilding year for the Vikings, however, and there's no question they'd rather get younger in most areas. Don't expect the team to retain too many of their own free agents; though they may pick up at least a veteran cornerback and wide receiver in the coming weeks, the draft is where they'll put most of their attention.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions placed the franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril, but look for the team and Avril to come to terms on a long-term deal that doesn't cost them the $10.6 million the tag is worth for 2012.

The Lions are pressed right up against the cap and have some issues to resolve, such as trying to retain middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who had an impressive first year with the team in 2011.

This will come not just from finding a more affordable solution to keeping Avril on the roster, but also by signing wide receiver Calvin Johnson to a new contract to keep him from being a $22 million cap hit this year.

Other players, like quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, could have their contracts restructured as well. Even if not done with Tulloch in mind, it's something the Lions will need to do regardless, considering they need to have the funds to sign their rookie class.

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