New England Patriots Down To The Wire With Franchise-Tagged Joe Thuney

The New England Patriots placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on left guard Joe Thuney. This was a $14.781 million move that had to be made prior to noon. Both parties have 121 days to hit an extension. The Patriots reveal that this is their mindset.

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

The Patriots need Joe Thuney

The Patriots selected the 27-year-old with the 78th overall in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of North Carolina State. Thuney measures at 6-feet-5, 308 piunds. He has started all 64 regular-season games and 10 postseason games at left guard during his stint with the Patriots.

Thuney is the first football player to start in the Super Bowl in each of his first three years in the league. He started at left guard in Super Bowls LI, LII and LIII.

In 2019, Thuney started all 16 regular-season games and the AFC Wild Card Playoff against the Tennessee Titans at left guard. The two-time Super Bowl champion was named a member of the Associated Press All-Pro Second Team for his success in 2019. That’s his very first All-Pro accolade.

Thuney is one of the 14 players tagged this year. He signed his fully guaranteed tender in a few days. This gave him leverage. Just like fellow offensive lineman Brandon Scheriff, Thuney is about to hit free agency. Teams didn’t reach any deal, but this may change in the near future.

The NFL deadlines loom at 4 p.m. ET on July 15. Thuney’s cap number with the Patriots ranks behind NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. According To OverTheCap.com, the next closest in the books is Dont’a Hightower and he stands at $12.455 million. This may change by Wednesday. The negotiating window may go pretty quiet.

The Patriots got more flexibility after running back Rex Burkhead agreed to revise the final year of the pact a few days ago.