JR4

NFL CBA says:

"The franchise tag is a designation given to a player by a franchise that guarantees that player a contract the average of the five highest-paid players of that same position in the entire league, or 120% of the player's previous year's salary (whichever is greater) in return for retaining rights to that player for one year."

If Samuel holds out to week 10 then his Salary won't be $7.8M but a portion of it. Right? If so, then 120% of $3+M would be less than the the average of the five highest-paid CBs next year.

So if Samuel holds out to week 10, wouldn't the franchise tag cost about the same as this year instead of some figures I've seen of over $10M?

BTW, it this were true and if he holds out and the Pats' secondary is doing well why not keep inactivated for the remainder of the year and franchise him again next year. The cost would be a little over $3M.

TomBrady'sGoat

As long as Asante signs the tender (whether it be before the season or during week 10) his contract for the season is 7.8M. It doesn't matter how much of that money he actually earns.

Pujo

They'd still have to pay him if they kept him inactive (they can't withdraw the franchise tender), and if they're paying him they might as well use him.

VJCPatriot

They have to pay him only IF he signs the tender. If he chooses to sit out it won't count against them. I doubt they would do something as silly as holding him out of games after he signed the tender. They might not be able to withdraw the tender as you say but the money won't count against them until he signs up.

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Pujo

Right, I was answering why they wouldn't keep him inactive after week 10 (when he'd have presumabely signed the tender).

JR4

Well I guess it depends on your definition of 'Salary'

Here is what one guy reports it to be for the NFL

"Salary means all compensation paid to a player, including money, property, investments, loans or anything else of value. Salary, however, does not include benefits. Furthermore, a player’s salary will also include compensation for non-football-related services if such payment does not seem to represent an approximate fair market value."

If so then if Samuel holds out to week 10 he will only be 'PAID' about 3.6 million or so.

pats1

Doesn't mean he'll play though.

pats1

That's still incorrect. The second he signs the tender he pockets $7.79M that can't be taken away from him, ever.

Franchise tenders are fully guaranteed once signed, no matter whether a player plays or not.

Pujo

Are you sure? I thought contracts were prorated and $7.8M is the full-year amount. Otherwise every franchised player would hold out til week 10, 10 weeks of free vacation.

JR4

If I read what you said correctly ... if Samuel holds out until week 10 he still gets the full amount, $7.79 million. Are you sure about that?