With the NFL franchise tag deadline looming this afternoon, teams around the league are trying to decide if they can work out a long-term deal with a player or if they’ll have to franchise tag them.
One team in such a bind are the Washington Redskins. While the team is working on a long-term deal with Pro Bowl defensive star Brian Orakpo, there is no clear indication that such a deal will get done. Because of this, Ed Werder from ESPN is reporting that Washington will be using the franchise tag on Orakpo if a deal isn’t worked out.
Redskins trying to sign Brian Orakpo to multi-year deal but prepared to use franchise tag if not done by 4pm deadline, source says
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 3, 2014
There are other reports from other NFL reporters stating that Washington hasn’t made a decision on whether to tag Orakpo or not, but a decision needs to be made one way or another by 4pm ET today or Orakpo will become a free agent.