Raptorman
Vikings fan since 1966.
So I keep seeing people say, "Franchise Flynn and trade him for a 1 or 2, or more draft picks". Well there seems to be a misunderstanding of exactly what can and cannot happen with the franchise tag. So let's take a look at it.
Say the Packer put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Flynn. What does this mean. It means if Flynn signs the offer the Packers have to pay him somewhere around $14 million. Now we all know they don't want to do that. So they want to trade him. This is were the problem comes in. If he signs the offer right away not a problem. The Packers can trade him and get what they can. However, if he signs and the Packers trade him, there is no provision for a minimum number of draft picks. If Flynn does not sign, the Packers cannot trade him. You can't trade a player that is not under contract.
Now, under the non-exclusive tag, Flynn can go out and attempt to make a deal with another team of his choosing, but that team would have to be willing to give up the draft picks per the CBA. Which is currently 2 first round picks. Now, I don't see any team giving up 2 first rounders for Flynn, so that team would more than likely negotiate with the Packers on draft picks. And if the Packer don't move on the picks, (there is nothing in the CBA that prevents the possibility of negotiating different draft picks.) the team pulls it's offer from Flynn and the Packers are stuck with him. Now, the other part is this. Flynn does not have to sign the tender until sometime later.(haven't found he exact date yet.) So the Packers are left holding the bag unable to do anything unless he signs.
Now, the exclusive rights franchise tag means that Flynn can only sign with the Packers. And again, unless he signs it, they can do nothing. If he does sign, they can negotiate a contract and trade him. However, that $14 million, is guaranteed unless he negotiates a new contract. Again, he would have to sign in order to be traded. And whichever team they traded him to would have to agree with the contract terms. And again, no draft picks mandated by the CBA.
So while tagging Flynn and trading him sounds great, there is a certain amount of what ifs that would have to be taken into consideration by the Packers before they do it.
Say the Packer put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Flynn. What does this mean. It means if Flynn signs the offer the Packers have to pay him somewhere around $14 million. Now we all know they don't want to do that. So they want to trade him. This is were the problem comes in. If he signs the offer right away not a problem. The Packers can trade him and get what they can. However, if he signs and the Packers trade him, there is no provision for a minimum number of draft picks. If Flynn does not sign, the Packers cannot trade him. You can't trade a player that is not under contract.
Now, under the non-exclusive tag, Flynn can go out and attempt to make a deal with another team of his choosing, but that team would have to be willing to give up the draft picks per the CBA. Which is currently 2 first round picks. Now, I don't see any team giving up 2 first rounders for Flynn, so that team would more than likely negotiate with the Packers on draft picks. And if the Packer don't move on the picks, (there is nothing in the CBA that prevents the possibility of negotiating different draft picks.) the team pulls it's offer from Flynn and the Packers are stuck with him. Now, the other part is this. Flynn does not have to sign the tender until sometime later.(haven't found he exact date yet.) So the Packers are left holding the bag unable to do anything unless he signs.
Now, the exclusive rights franchise tag means that Flynn can only sign with the Packers. And again, unless he signs it, they can do nothing. If he does sign, they can negotiate a contract and trade him. However, that $14 million, is guaranteed unless he negotiates a new contract. Again, he would have to sign in order to be traded. And whichever team they traded him to would have to agree with the contract terms. And again, no draft picks mandated by the CBA.
So while tagging Flynn and trading him sounds great, there is a certain amount of what ifs that would have to be taken into consideration by the Packers before they do it.