Report: Joe Thuney Playing on Franchise Tag Becoming More Likely

The New England Patriots offered guard Joe Thuney the franchise tag in March. This makes him the second-highest-paid guard in the league. It also gives Thuney a big free agency chance in 2021. The guard will try to sign a long-term deal with the team that selected him in the third round of the 2016 draft.

It looks like the guard will play on the $14.78 million tag for the upcoming season. This prevents Thuney from entering the free agency market for one season. Thuney was a starter in every game during his four-year stint with the Patriots.

The Patriots plan to keep the 27-year-old as long as possible. That’s what their recent statement suggests.

“Joe has been a model teammate and an essential element to our success since joining our team in 2016,” the franchise in a statement. “Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach the goal of a long-term agreement.”

Joe Thuney to play 2020 on the franchise tag

Kraft’s team has one of the tightest cap situations in the NFL. Putting the franchise tag on Thuney doesn’t make things any easier for them.

“They currently have the least cap space in the NFL,” Mike Reiss from ESPN reported. “The Patriots will surely create space in the coming months…and one of the easiest ways to do so would be to sign Thuney to a long-term extension by the July 15 deadline.”

According to Reiss, the guard’s deal gives him “uncommon leverage, which is a rare spot to be in when meeting coach Bill Belichick at the negotiating table.”

The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of things within the Patriots organization and the rest of the NFL. Reiss says there’s a 5% chance at the sides agreeing to a long-term deal this offseason. He believes that Thuney will play 2020 on the franchise tag with low chances of him getting a short-term deal or even a trade deal.

Thuney will have a big role behind second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham. He had 97% pass-block win rate in the past season as noted by ESPN. That’s the second-best among all NFL guards. Baltimore Ravens Marshal Yanda is on the top of the list with 98%.