The NFL finalized their 2019 salary cap on Friday, and with it comes the news of the official contract tenders for franchise and transition tag players.
The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to use their franchise tag on outside linebacker Dee Ford. There was some speculation that there might be a fight over whether Ford would be classified as a linebacker or defensive end, based on the Chiefs defensive scheme change. That won’t be happening. The NFL goes off of the position that’s been played in the most recent accrued season and not the upcoming season. If the Chiefs chose to tag Ford again in 2020, they’d have to tag him as a defensive end commensurate with the team playing in the 4-3 in 2019.
Here’s a look at all of the franchise tag and transition tag tenders for the 2019 season:
If the Chiefs use the franchise tag on Dee Ford, he’ll earn $15.4 million on the 2019 season. He’s gone on record multiple times explaining that he’d be comfortable playing on the franchise tag in 2019.
The franchise tag is also still an option, though Brett Veach noted he’s met with Ford and his agent Adisa Bakari, and everyone is on the same page right now when it comes to the contract negotiations. One way or another it appears Ford will be on the Chiefs in 2019. Perhaps earning $15.4 million under the franchise tag.
