The New England Patriots and Joe Thuney aren’t expected to reach a long-term extension by Wednesday’s deadline at 4 p.m., according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The 27-year-old guard signed a franchise tag in March and conversations quickly surfaced about him signing a long-term extension. He now has a $14.78 cap hit for the 2020 season, which is tough for a team with the lowest salary-cap space in the league. If the Patriots were able to come to an agreement, they could’ve spread the money out over multiple seasons.
Thuney played nearly every snap for the Patriots at left guard since the 2016 season and has proved himself as one of the league’s most underrated and valuable linemen. He’ll play alongside one of the NFL’s better offensive lines with Isaiah Wynn, Marcus Cannon, David Andrews and Shaq Mason.
No deal is expected for the #Patriots and G Joe Thuney, so he’ll play on the tag. Didn’t sound like there was much traction on talks. So, 1-year deal, and the sides will try again next offseason. https://t.co/xwiGDe4gJ2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2020
New England had less than $500 thousand in cap space last week, but freed up nearly $8 million by settling grievances with Antonio Brown and Aaron Hernandez. The additional money likely played a factor in the team’s decision to keep him franchise tagged.
Thuney will enter next offseason as a free agent, but he’ll provide protection for Cam Newton or Jarrett Stidham this season.
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