No Franchise Tag For Matt Flynn?

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that a “high-ranking NFL executive” has informed them that he would be “shocked” if Green Bay applied their franchise tag to QB Matt Flynn before tomorrow’s 4pm ET deadline.

It was widely assumed that the Packers would use their tag on Flynn after they re-signed TE Jermichael Finley and attempt to deal him to an interested team such as the Dolphins, Browns or possibly the Seahawks.

The problem with this idea comes down to the amount of risk that the Packers would be taking in attempt to move their backup quarterback. Flynn wouldn’t hesitate to sign a guaranteed $14 million contract so the Packers would have to deal him right away. Prospective teams would know that Green Bay has to trade him which would have a negative impact on their leverage in any negotiations and last year’s Kevin Kolb trade isn’t helping their case any. At best, Green Bay is looking at a second-round pick in return for Flynn but they’ll most likely receive a third-round compensatory pick if they lose him to free agency next year so the reward doesn’t outweigh the risk here.