NFL Free Agency has become quite a bit different with the institution of the franchise tag. It seems like teams love it and that players hate it. Players want the long term security, even in the NFL where contracts are not guaranteed. Right now there are 5 men who have the franchise tag, but are still only on that one year deal. Let's take a look at each of them and see if they are likely to get a contract extension.

1. Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

If at this point you haven't already heard that JPP has had one of his fingers amputated from a fireworks incident, then you just haven't been paying much attention. Because of the worry regarding the damage that had occurred, the Giants have pulled their long term offer and it hasn't been reported of any new contracts for the defensive end. With the franchise tag, JPP is set to earn $14,813,000 this season, which is the highest of all of the players to get franchised. This is one with just the surrounding circumstances, this writer doesn't see any way that he could be extended before the 4 PM ET deadline.

2. Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots

The Super Bowl Champion Kicker has been given the franchise tag this off-season, as Bill Belichick must value his kicker compared to many other positions. Gostkowski has been there for several years and he has been one of the more consistent kickers in football. This year he is set to earn $4,590,000 which is really high for a kicker. Even if he had a long term deal it wouldn't mean that he would stay a Patriot for the long haul. It seems more likely that making top kicker money for this season is a nice benefit but top kicker money is more likely coming to younger kickers like Blair Walsh of  the Minnesota Vikings or Dan Bailey of the Dallas Cowboys instead of to the older Gostkowski. They have a better leg and are more accurate than Stephen is from over 50 yards. This is another deal that should not happen this week.

3. Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs

Going after the quarterback with Tamba Hali rushing the other side, Justin led the NFL in sacks during the 2014 season, a fact that people often forget fawning over J.J. Watt, partially because Watt also lined up at tight end and scored more touchdowns during the 2014 season. Since he was given the franchise tag, it has been reported time and time again that Houston's agent and the Kansas City Chiefs are not close to a long term extension. He is still set to earn $13,195,000 this season, but it's tough to blame him for wanting to get paid after having the best season of his career with 22 sacks and just being a half sack behind Michael Strahan for most sacks in a season. Seasons like that are difficult to repeat. But Houston is again unlikely to get a contract extension before Wednesday's deadline.

4. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

Now we get to the two men that are the wide receivers that everyone is talking about. The NFLPA is even investigating possible collusion between the Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys regarding not giving either Thomas or Dez Bryant a new deal. Both are set to earn $12,823,000 this year, but let's look closer at Thomas. It is being reported that Thomas wants Calvin Johnson money, which would be around $16 million a year. It was reported Tuesday morning that the Broncos are willing to offer 12 million a year in a long term deal. But, when you are already paying Peyton Manning with a salary cap hit of $17.5M, and then Ryan Clady has a cap hit of over 10 million a year as well, then it is difficult to think that they can pay Thomas much more than what they are already willing to offer him. Unless Thomas changes his opinions of how much he should make of how much he should make, then it seems unlikely to see this contract extension as well.

5. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

This is a deal that should definitely be done before Wednesday's deadline. Bryant has threatened to holdout and even miss games if he needs to, but he is the one stating he will do what it takes to get paid. Jerry Jones is known for rewarding his guys, and that is something that should definitely happen with the former Oklahoma State Cowboy. Dez Bryant is one of the most unique talents at receiver in all of football, and this writer currently would project that Dez will get a deal averaging 14 million a year for 5 years to make him the second highest paid receiver in the NFL.

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About the author
Caleb Wahlgren
I will not deny that I am a big fan of the Green Bay Packers. But I love the NFL and want to see the very best for it.