The New England Patriots can seemingly do wrong when it comes to acquiring or parting ways with talented players. It now appears as though the AFC East powerhouse will attempt to make yet another correct prediction as New England is not expected to place its franchise tag on defensive end Trey Flowers.
According to a recent report from Mike Reiss of ESPN, the Patriots will take their chances in allowing the veteran defender to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. It is also worth noting that Reiss believes that the Patriots will instead elect to retain veteran placekicker Stephen Gostkowski via the franchise tag.
“The Patriots could strike an extension with [place kicker Stephen] Gostkowski before free agency, but if they don't, assigning him the franchise tag would help them maintain some leverage to keep him in the fold in 2019,” writes Reiss. “While the tag of about $5 million is richer than the club would project to pay on an annual basis as part of a multiyear deal, it could be a placeholder until the sides hammer out a longer pact. Some might ask, ‘Why not defensive Trey Flowers or offensive tackle Trent Brown?' The thinking is that their franchise-tag numbers would be too high for the team's liking.”
Teams from around the league notably have until Tuesday, March 5th at 4 p.m. EST to place their respective franchise tags on players.
It will be interesting as to which player the Patriots eventually elect to tag as these situations can remain fluid until the deadline.
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