Eagles Decide Not To Use Franchise Tag On Jeremy Maclin
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Eagles decided not to use the franchise tag on Monday. The most likely candidate on the team was wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
Maclin is coming off his most productive season as an Eagle following the departure of DeSean Jackson. Maclin took advantage of his opportunities and is expected to cash in.
The franchise tag for wide receivers is projected to be $12.8 million.
With the Eagles choosing not to tag Maclin, they will now have to negotiate a long-term deal to keep him in Philadelphia. The Eagles have exclusive negotiating rights with Maclin and their other free agents up until Saturday, March 7th.
Teams can begin negotiating with other teams' free agents on that day and free agency officially opens on March 10th at 4 p.m. Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas, were both retained by their teams using the franchise tag.
Because of this, if the Eagles do not reach a deal with Maclin before March 7th, teams in need of receiving help will certainly be calling.
