A Few NFL franchise tender signings

PITTSBURGH -- Linebacker LaMarr Woodley has signed Pittsburgh's one-year franchise tender offer, the Steelers announced on Wednesday.

Woodley becomes the first player to sign a franchise tender. The players' union has questioned the validity of franchise and transition tags with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of the day on March 3.
A league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Tuesday that Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, who also received a franchise tag, plans to sign his tender as well.


In the final season of his rookie contract, Woodley, 26, made $550,000. But next season, he'll stand to make more than $10 million because of the tag and his position. The Steelers could also sign him to a long-term contract.
Woodley, 26, who just finished his third season with Pittsburgh, had 50 tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions last season, helping the Steelers to the AFC championship. The former second-round pick out of Michigan has 39 sacks and seven forced fumbles for his career.


In the Steelers' three-game playoff run, Woodley had 10 tackles and three sacks.
A member of the 2010 AFC Pro Bowl squad, Woodley is the only player in NFL history to post at least one sack in six consecutive postseason games. He has 11 sacks total in seven postseason contests, including an NFL record two in each of his first four playoff outings.

New York Jets linebacker David Harris signed his franchise tender Wednesday night, becoming the third player to do so in the past 24 hours, a league source said.


Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley has signed his franchise tender. Panthers center Ryan Kalil has also signed his tender, a league source told Schefter. This comes at a time when the NFLPA has claimed the tags don't and won't exist. Harris' franchise number projects at between $10.1 and $10.5 million, depending on what the NFL determines, according to the source.


Harris is one of several key Jets the organization is trying to keep. Wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith and cornerback Antonio Cromartie are among Jets players with expiring contracts.


Head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum will meet with the media on Thursday at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed a franchise tag on Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis.

The Jaguars and Lewis will continue to negotiate a long-term deal, but the non-exclusive tag essentially assures both sides at least another season together.
For now, they have until the end of the day on March 3 to agree on a contract. That's when the current collective bargaining agreement expires, ending all negotiations.
Lewis led the Jaguars with 10 touchdowns last season and had 58 receptions for 700 yards. Lewis also tied the Chargers' Antonio Gates for the NFL season-high among tight ends with his 10 scores.




Lewis, drafted 28th overall in the 2006 draft, became the first tight end in Jaguars history to be selected for a Pro Bowl, earning the honor last season.
The non-exclusive tag means Lewis can negotiate with other teams. But any team signing him would have to give the Jaguars two first-round draft picks as compensation if Jacksonville chose not to match the offer.


The deadline for teams to use franchise and transition tags is Thursday. The players' union has questioned the validity of franchise and transition tags with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire.