The New Orleans Saints slapped tight end Jimmy Graham with the franchise tag and we expected things could get messy. If he were to get the tag as a wide receiver he’d make more money than under the tag as a tight end, which is technically his position. Graham however spent more time split out as a wide out than in as a tight end, so he has an argument.
Had a long-term deal been struck between the two sides it would’ve been a moot point, but they haven’t. So USA Today’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the NFL Players’ Association is going forward and filing a grievance against the Saints on behalf of Graham. There is no date set yet, but it’d likely be expedited.
The NFLPA has filed a grievance against #Saints on behalf of Jimmy Graham. Franchise-tag fight is on.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
No hearing date set for Graham grievance. Presumably, it'll get pursued on an expedited basis.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
This was the inevitable next step when no deal was struck between #Saints and Graham. Difference of over $5M could swing leverage in talks.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
Terrell Suggs' franchise-tag fight got resolved via settlement in 2008. But that was over a difference of about $800K for DE/LB.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
Should Graham get paid as a wide out or as a tight end? Let us know what you think in the comments below.