The New England Patriots are expected to place the franchise tag on guard Joe Thuney, his agent Mike McCarthy announced Monday.
Thuney was slated to enter unrestricted free agency, but the franchise tag will hold him to the Patriots on a one-year deal worth roughly $14 million. The Patriots can trade Thuney, and perhaps they tagged him with the intention of doing so, in the event they want to steer him away from the AFC East. Last season, a handful of franchise-tagged players (Dee Ford, Frank Clarkand Jadeveon Clowney) were traded.
That said, they may be happy to retain him, as he was one of the team’s best players over the last few years. He has rarely missed a snap since earning a starting role in his rookie season in 2016.
I was just informed that the @Patriots are placing the Franchise Tag on @JosephThuney
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 16, 2020
Thuney is a two-time Super Bowl champion and he was a second-team All-Pro in 2019. He also earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2016.
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