Joe Thuney, G, New England Patriots
Franchise Tag Salary: $14.781 million
Status: The New England Patriots are another team that was on the edge of salary cap oblivion just a few months ago, to the point that chuckleheads like me thought it next to impossible that the organization could get Cam Newton in on a free agent contract. But Bill Belichick often finds a way, and now the Patriots are in much better cap position given recent settlements on two contracts: Antonio Brown and Aaron Hernandez.
That makes the likelihood of Thuney and the team reaching a deal all the more reasonable. As the team looks to transition to a new quarterback – likely Newton – they would love to keep the core of their offense, which is the offensive line, intact. Thuney is a critical piece of their offensive line, and facing a season without Dante Scarnecchia makes a veteran presence all the more necessary.
Prediction: Extension reached.