NFL fans were stunned after Patriots placed franchise tag on Joe Thuney

The New England Patriots left people scratching their heads on Monday morning before the legal tampering period began in free agency.

Just moments before noon ET, the Patriots placed the franchise tag on interior lineman Joe Thuney. The tag is worth roughly $14.7 million, keeping the top guard out of free agency. New England re-signed Devin McCourty on a two-year, $23 million deal and is quickly running out of money.

These two moves alone leave very little room to pay Tom Brady, who still has interest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers. Fans and reporters on Twitter are coming up with their own theories on this intriguing move by the Patriots.

The Patriots can trade Joe Thuney – if/when he signs the franchise tender.

They could also work out a long-term extension. However, if they keep him, I'm curious to see how they'd fit Tom Brady into the cap.

— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) March 16, 2020

Assuming that Joe Thuney is getting tagged-and-traded, which receivers could be available in a trade by a team that needs a guard?

OBJ? Hopkins? Diggs? Robinson? Anyone on the Bucs?

— Rich Hill (@PP_Rich_Hill) March 16, 2020

With the Patriots reportedly planning to place the franchise tag on Joe Thuney, @ZoandBertrand agree, this is a "pro-Brady" move. pic.twitter.com/Nu36iVGgm9

— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) March 16, 2020

With the franchise tag applied to Joe Thuney, the New England Patriots have roughly a $25 million guard duo between him and Shaq Mason.

— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) March 16, 2020

(1/2) After accounting for Joe Thuney's tag I now have the Patriots salary cap space number as $5,413,286. 2020 League Cap = $198.2M. Number is w/ Top 51 rule so the salaries of bottom 9 players are not included. I have Tom Brady counting on my ledger as $13.5M.

— Cap Space=$5,413,286 (@patscap) March 16, 2020

(2/2) This number does NOT include the cap impact of Devin McCourty's re-signing. I am including the RFA tenders to Adam Butler and Jermaine Eluemunor. Number also accounts for Jason McCourty and Matthew Slater.

— Cap Space=$5,413,286 (@patscap) March 16, 2020

If the Patriots are tagging Joe Thuney to trade him, they must think they can get something better than the projected third-round comp pick. A player? A second rounder?

— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) March 16, 2020

The Patriots the rest of the offseason after using the $15 mil franchise tag on Joe Thuney. pic.twitter.com/8LMqWSwj7H

— Kevin Rooney (@Rooney013) March 16, 2020

Patriots keeping Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater and Joe Thuney doesn't scream rebuild to me. Nor should it to anyone else.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 16, 2020

Placing the franchise tag on Joe Thuney gives the Patriots options. Keep or trade. The potential of a good return in a deal is there, but I'm not sure the smart thing to do if they're still in on Brady is shipping off one of his most consistent linemen.

— Brianna Pirre (@PatriotsFGSN) March 16, 2020

The Patriots offensive line is also in outstanding shape for 2020:

LT Isaiah Wynn
LG Joe Thuney (tagged)
C David Andrews (back?)
RG Shaq Mason
RT Marcus Cannon

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) March 16, 2020

Talked to people regarding Joe Thuney this morning. Franchise tag wasn’t mentioned. Patriots pull this one out of left field.

The #Jets loved Thueny, and were willing to back up truck for him.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 16, 2020