Would tag delay affect Bears, WR Robinson?
The next mile marker in the seemingly endless drama between the Bears and receiver Allen Robinson is the franchisetag deadline. While that won’t fully resolve the situation, it at least will clarify in which direction it’s headed.
The original deadline was set for 3 p.m. Tuesday, but with the NFL yet to finalize its salary cap for next season, there almost certainly will be a delay.
The extra time might not make any difference, considering Robinson and the Bears already have had more than a year to work something out. Rather than pay Robinson what his production has merited, the Bears have played hardball. Undeterred, Robinson set aside his frustration and caught 102 passes for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Robinson has been seeking a deal of at least $20 million per year, a source said, and Spotrac calculated his market value at a four-year, $80.2 million contract. The Bears have been hoping he’ll accept a salary in the $16 million-to-$18 million range. The franchise tag likely would cost them $18 million.
Massie moving on?
The Bears long have been expected to part with starting right tackle Bobby Massie, and NFL Network reported the move is likely.
Massie would cost the Bears $9.3 million in salary-cap space next season and $9.4 million in 2022, but they can cut him for a dead-cap hit of only $2.6 million.
The Bears signed Massie to a four-year, $30.8 million extension after the 2018 season, but he missed a combined 14 games in the last two seasons because of injuries.
Cowboys, Prescott strike $160M deal
Multiple outlets reported the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott agreed to terms on a four-year, $160 million contract, including $126 million in guaranteed money.
Prescott’s signing bonus is $66 million, the highest in NFL history, a source told ESPN. The first three years of the deal average $42 million per year, the source said.
ESPN also reported the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on Prescott, who is coming off a gruesome injury to his right ankle, on Tuesday as a procedural matter because the deal won’t be finalized. The team announced it will hold a news conference Wednesday.
ESPN: Eagles’ owner wants Hurts at QB
ESPN, citing sources it didn’t identify, reported Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has told the front office to focus on making quarterback Jalen Hurts successful in 2021, as opposed to creating a competition for the job.
Hurts is the only quarterback the Eagles have under contract after trading Carson Wentz to the Colts last month. More will be added, but Lurie wants his staff to build around Hurts, the sources said.
This and that
Washington put the franchise tag on guard Brandon Scherff for the second consecutive year, and the Jets reportedly put the franchise tag on safety Marcus Maye. The tag is expected to be worth about $18 million for guards and $10.5 million for safeties.
◆ NFL.com reported the Titans traded offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson — who played only four snaps for them, despite being selected 29th overall last April — to the Dolphins. The website also said a swap of draft picks was involved.
◆ The Seahawks released defensive end Carlos Dunlap after the sides couldn’t agree on a contract extension that would soften the blow of a $14.1 million salary-cap hit.
◆ The Lions released former Bears linebacker Christian Jones with one year left on his four-year contract.