There is usually a phrase that no one wants to hear when it comes to their contract status, and that would be that they are going to have the franchise tag placed upon them. It does give them a solid payday for one year, but usually it just gives the team longer before they can sign the player to a long term deal. For the Green Bay Packers, the most important potential free agent is Mason Crosby, and they should use the Franchise tag on him to make sure that he remains a Packer into the future.
Franchise Tag Value
According to an evaluation done estimating a salary cap of $153 million, the value given to a kicker would be $4.5 million. That was done by Kevin Patra back on February, 15. Now $4.5 million may seem like a lot of money for a kicker, but the good kickers get paid their dues. The last contract Crosby was one was a 5 year, $14.75 million deal, and finished with him making $2.8 million in 2015.
Extra Point Rule Change
How much is the value of one point? Just ask the New England Patriots their thought about that as their typically reliable Stephen Gostkowski missed the opening extra point against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Crosby was solid in 2015, making all 36 of his extra point attempts, and only missing four kicks all year, all of which were 40 yards or further. It's absolutely easy to argue that kickers should be making more money as a result of the rule change and the talent that is required to consistently make the 33 yard extra points.
Pay the Man
Obviously, a long term deal where Crosby makes less than $4.5 million annually is better for the Packers, but at the same time, the value for kickers has risen since Crosby last signed his contract in 2011. But if the Packers simply don't come to terms before the free agency deadline, franchising their kicker who has been with the team since he was selected as a sixth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Keep Crosby in Green Bay is something that Packer fans should be chanting and it is something that the organization should be primarily focused upon.