NFL Franchise Player Long-Term Deal Deadline on July 15

The date of July 15 may just appear to be another slow stop on the long road to NFL training camps at the end of July.  But that date marks a significant event on the NFL’s “business” calendar, as it is the last day for “Franchised” players to sign a long-term deal with their teams. If a franchised player is unable to workout a long-term deal by the end of July 15 then the player can only agree to play under the terms of their one-year franchise deal for the upcoming NFL season (ex. Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers’ one-year franchise deal is for approximately $16.7 million). Already as of July 14, the Kansas City Chiefs locked-up franchised quarterback Matt Cassel by signing him to a multi-year contract extension. According to league sources, the six-year deal is worth $63 million, with $28 million guaranteed.  The new deal is the second big jump in salary for Cassel, who played for basically for the first time since high school in ...