Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports the franchise tag is still “very much on the table” for OLB Dee Ford.
This comes in contrast to what Jason La Canfora mentioned last week, which is that Kansas City is leaning against using their franchise tag on Ford.
The Chiefs will have a few weeks after their season ends to negotiate a long-term deal with Ford before the franchise tag deadline in late February.
However, it would be surprising to see the Chiefs allow Ford to test the open market, given that he would be one of the best available free agents this March.
According to Joel Corry, the franchise tag for linebackers should teams around $15,591,000 for the 2019 season.
Ford, 27, was taken with the No. 23 overall pick by the Chiefs back in 2014. He was in the final year of his four-year, $8.158 million rookie contract when the Chiefs picked up his fifth-year option.
Ford will make a base salary of $8,718,000 million for the 2018 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
In 2018, Ford appeared in 15 games for the Chiefs and recorded 55 tackles, 13 sacks, seven forced fumble and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 8 edge rusher out of 107 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 50 – 2019 NFL Free Agents list.
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