IRVING, Texas — Dez Bryant will get four more months to work on a long-term deal with the Cowboys and make $12.8 million next year after the team used its franchise tag on the star wide receiver.
Bryant led the NFL with a club-record 16 touchdowns in the final year of a rookie contract that paid $11.8 million over five years.
The 26-year-old Bryant was the fastest Dallas player to 300 career receptions and second-fastest to 50 touchdowns behind Bob Hayes.
The Cowboys also have to decide whether to re-sign running back DeMarco Murray after he had a league-leading 1,845 yards rushing in the final year of his contract. He becomes a free agent March 10.
Broncos franchise tag WR Demaryius Thomas
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have placed their franchise tag on star receiver Demaryius Thomas, guaranteeing him roughly $12.8 million next season and buying them more time to work out a long-term deal.
General manager John Elway used that same tactic before re-signing kicker Matt Prater and left tackle Ryan Clady before training camp in recent years.
"This is another step in our efforts to extend Demaryius’ contract and ensure he remains a Denver Bronco," Elway said in a statement. "We will continue working toward a long-term agreement with Demaryius, who is a very important part of our team."
Selected 22nd overall in 2010 out of Georgia Tech, Thomas has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with Peyton Manning at quarterback.
Thomas could always signal his displeasure with the move by waiting to sign the tender and skipping off-season workouts that begin the first week of April. If Thomas doesn’t sign a long-term contract, the Broncos could use the franchise tag on him again next year.
This move also makes it more unlikely that Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas will be back in Denver next season.
The Thomases are among Denver’s dozen unrestricted free agents, a group that also includes Wes Welker, Terrance Knighton, Rahim Moore, Orlando Franklin and Jacob Tamme.
By placing the non-exclusive designation on Thomas, the Broncos also bought more time to see how the Manning era plays out in Denver. Manning is expected to announce soon that he’ll be back for an 18th season and fourth in Denver but with a restructured contract that gives the team more financial flexibility heading into free agency.
Manning is due $19 million in 2015 with a $21.2 million salary cap hit. He has to pass a physical by Thursday, something both he and Elway have said they consider a mere formality.
Thomas set career highs with 111 catches for 1,619 yards in 2014, when he scored 11 times, when he joined Marvin n Harrison and Jerry Rice as the only players in NFL history to post three consecutive seasons with 1,400 or more yards receiving and at least 10 touchdown catches.
Since Manning’s arrival in Denver in 2012, Thomas has caught 297 passes for 4,483 yards and 35 TDs. In that three-year span, Thomas has ranked first in the league in yards receiving, second to Antonio Brown in receptions and second to Dez Bryant in touchdowns.
Last year Thomas said he’d be willing to give the Broncos a "hometown discount" in a long-term contract but he hasn’t specified exactly how much less he’d take to stay with the team that drafted him a few spots ahead of Tim Tebow.
Thomas ranks first in franchise history with 28 100-yard games, including a franchise-best 10 in 2014. He had seven straight 100-yard games, one shy of the NFL record and he set a franchise record with a 226-yard performance against Arizona on Oct. 5, when he also had a 74-yard touchdown that was negated by penalty.
Chiefs franchise tag pass rusher Justin Houston
The Kansas City Chiefs signalled they have no intention of parting ways with Justin Houston on Monday, moving swiftly to place the franchise tag on their All-Pro pass rusher.
The Chiefs made the decision to use the non-exclusive designation well ahead of the afternoon deadline.
The 26-year-old Houston set a franchise-record with 22 sacks last season, just a half-sack short of the NFL record. He also made 68 tackles while playing the final year of his rookie deal.
The Chiefs and Houston’s representatives began discussions on a long-term contract last off-season but made little progress. Those discussions resumed this past season, as Houston’s value skyrocketed amid his record-setting sacks pace. But after discussions planned for last week’s NFL scouting combine failed to produce much progress, the franchise tag became inevitable.
"Justin is a talented player and a key contributor to our defence," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said in a statement, calling Monday’s move "in the best interest of the club."
"We will continue to discuss long-term options with him and his agent. Our goal is to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial. We want to keep Justin in a Chiefs uniform for years to come."
Houston would make about $13 million on a one-year contract if he signs the tender, though that’s no guarantee. The two sides still have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal, and it is possible that the fifth-year pro will hold out until training camp or beyond.
"I think Justin Houston is a fine football player," Dorsey said at the combine. "What he did this year, I mean, he did a wonderful job. Everybody, we applaud him for that. … I’ve had ongoing discussions with his representative."
Now, though, Houston may also negotiate with other teams. The Chiefs retain the right to match the terms of an offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation.
One battle that could be looming is over Houston’s position. He is considered an outside linebacker in the Chiefs’ base defence, but could be considered a defensive end. If he were to be classified in that position, the franchise tag is $14.8 million.
Regardless of what happens with Houston, the cash-strapped Chiefs will need to make some additional roster moves soon to free up salary cap space for his contract.
They have already parted ways with several backups, including tight end Anthony Fasano, and could begin restructuring contracts or cutting outright some of their most notable players. Among them are wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and linebacker Tamba Hali, both of whom are signed to long-term deals that carry massive salary cap numbers.
Bowe in particular has become the subject of plenty of criticism. Not only does he carry a $14 million salary cap hit, his skillset appears to be on the decline. He failed to catch a touchdown pass last season, along with the rest of the wide receiving corps.
"It’s hard to play in the National Football League," Dorsey said. "(Bowe) will probably tell you himself that he did not live up to his high standards, but now we have 2015 to come back."
Lions won’t franchise tag DT Suh
DETROIT — Ndamukong Suh can test the open market when free agency begins March 10 after the Lions decided not to use the franchise tag on the star defensive tackle, according to a report on the team’s website.
Monday is the deadline for teams to designate franchise or transition players. The Lions did not officially confirm the decision to let the deadline pass without franchising their 28-year-old All-Pro, but the report on the team’s website said Detroit concluded that the franchise tag’s price of around $27 million for Suh proved too daunting.
Last month, general manager Martin Mayhew said he was optimistic about getting a deal done with Suh, but the franchise tag was probably the team’s best source of leverage, and even that would have come at a prohibitive cost.
Suh has been a force in the middle of Detroit’s defensive line ever since the Lions drafted him with the second overall pick in 2010. He has 36 sacks in five seasons, including 8 1/2 in 2014, when the Lions made the playoffs as a wild card while boasting one of the league’s top defences.
Suh has been hit with several fines in his career for his aggressive on-field actions, and he was nearly suspended for Detroit’s playoff game at Dallas last season — a one-game ban for stepping on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was overturned on appeal. But that occasional drama has done little to detract from Suh’s overall value to the Lions, who now face the prospect of having to bid against other teams for his services.
Suh, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson — all of whom came to the Lions via high draft picks — have helped Detroit reach the post-season twice in the last four years. The Lions were able to secure Stafford and Johnson on long-term deals beyond their rookie contracts, but so far they’ve been unable to sign Suh.
Miami Dolphins use transition tag on TE Charles Clay
MIAMI — Tight end Charles Clay was given a transition tag Monday by the Miami Dolphins, ensuring he’ll make at least $7 million in 2015.
Miami also released starting cornerback Cortland Finnegan and reserve offensive lineman Nate Garner.
Clay becomes an unrestricted free agent next week, and the tag allows the Dolphins to match any offer he receives.
The move was unexpected. It could signal the Dolphins plan to release or trade disgruntled receiver Mike Wallace, their highest-paid player, and shift more of the offensive burden to Clay. He’s a four-year starter who had 58 catches last season for 605 yards and three scores.
The release of Finnegan and Garner was the latest payroll purge by the Dolphins as they prepare for free agency. Last week they released veteran receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson.
Finnegan, 31, was to make $5.45 million this season in the final year of a deal he signed in 2014. He was an All-Pro with Tennessee in 2008, but was slowed by an ankle injury last year and said late in the season he might retire.
The Dolphins want more youth on an aging defence that ranked 20th in points allowed.
Garner, who has been with the Dolphins since 2008, played in 10 games as a backup in 2014 but was sidelined late in the season by migraines.
Giants place franchise tag on DE Jason Pierre-Paul
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants placed the franchise tag on defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul after the 26-year-old rebounded from two injury-plagued seasons.
The Giants made the move Monday, guaranteeing that their first-round draft pick of 2010 will make at least $14.813 million next season unless the two sides reach an agreement on a long-term deal by July 15.
Pierre-Paul had team highs of 12 1/2 sacks and 21 quarterback hits playing on a defence ranked No. 29 overall. It was his best season since having 16 1/2 sacks in 2011, the season the Giants won their second Super Bowl under Tom Coughlin.
Pierre-Paul also finished third on the team with 77 tackles, including 16 for losses. He was bothered by back and shoulder injuries in 2012 and ’13.
The Giants also announced on Monday that centre J.D. Walton was released after starting all 16 games last season. The team plans to move second-year offensive lineman Weston Richburg to centre and it recently signed centre Brett Jones, who has been one of the top linemen in the Canadian Football League. The move saved the Giants $3 million in salary cap space.
With the recent release of defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, Pierre-Paul has now been with the club longer than any current defensive lineman. He has 42 career sacks, eighth in team history.
The Giants are going to have a somewhat new defence next season with former co-ordinator Steve Spagnuolo returning and replacing the fired Perry Fewell.
The defence gave up an average of 375.8 yards last season, including 135.1 rushing, 30th in the league. While the line could not stop the run, it was good getting to the quarterback with 47 sacks.
Pierre-Paul really came on late, getting nine of his sacks in the final five games.
Pierre-Paul is the fourth Giant designated as a franchise player, joining tackle Jumbo Elliott (1993), running back Brandon Jacobs (2009) and punter Steve Weatherford (2012). Both Jacobs and Weatherford signed long-term contracts two weeks after receiving their franchise designations.
The Giants have also used the transition tag on linebacker Carl Banks (1993), tight end Howard Cross (1994) and running back Rodney Hampton (1996).
A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other teams, but if the player signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has the right to match the terms. If it does not match the offer and loses the player it is entitled to two first-round draft choices as compensation.
A six-year veteran, Walton signed with the Giants as a free agent last March. The former Denver Broncos draft pick has started 52 regular-season and two post-season games.
New England Patriots place franchise tag on K Stephen Gostkowski
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on three-time Pro Bowl kicker Stephen Gostkowski on Monday.
The team said in an unattributed statement that the move gives the sides more time to negotiate an agreement. If no deal is reached by July 15, the Patriots will pay Gostkowski $4.126 million in 2015.
Gostkowski led the NFL in total points for the fourth time in 2014. He is the leading scorer in franchise history.
The 2006 fourth-round draft pick was 35 of 37 on field goals this season — a 94.6 percentage that is the highest in Patriots history.
He did not miss a kick in the post-season, converting the only field goal and all 15 extra point attempts while helping the Patriots win their fourth Super Bowl since 2001.