Cousins, Jeffery among 4 left without long-term deals after deadline
The negotiation deadline for franchise-tagged players came and went Friday, leaving a number of notable players without long-term deals.
Unable to agree to terms prior to 4 p.m. ET, Kirk Cousins, Eric Berry, Alshon Jeffery, and Trumaine Johnson will play the 2016 season under one-year tenders.
Each player, having been hit with the non-exclusive tag ahead of free agency this offseason, is slated for a salary in line with the average of the top five at their position.
| Player | Team | Position | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | Redskins | QB | $19.95M |
| Eric Berry | Chiefs | S | $10.806M |
| Alshon Jeffery | Bears | WR | $14.599M |
| Trumaine Johnson | Rams | CB | $13.952M |
Teams can reopen negotiations with their respective franchise players at the conclusion of the season in an attempt to keep them off the open market next March.
Using the franchise tag for a second time would be an option, but doing so requires teams to dish out a salary 120 percent higher than the previous year's total.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, and Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker were the lone players to receive long-term deals on deadline day.
Miller landed a reported six-year, $114-million extension to remain with the defending Super Bowl champions. The megadeal includes $70 million in guarantees, setting a new NFL record for non-quarterbacks.
Just when the deadline appeared to have passed without the two sides coming to terms on a deal, the Jets announced a five-year extension with Wilkerson. Reports indicate that the new contract is worth a total of $85 million and $54 in guarantees.
Tucker, meanwhile, reportedly received a four-year contract worth $16.8 million, of which $10.8 million is guaranteed.