It looks like the New Orleans Saints will hold off on using the franchise tag this offseason as the team won't place the tag on Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod, according to ESPN.
Not using the tag on Bushrod wouldn't be a major shock at all considering the price tag of franchising Bushrod would be around $9.7 million and the Saints are trying to find ways to fall under the salary cap. The Saints are reportedly around $16 million over the cap despite linebacker Curtis Lofton's contract being restructured along with the cuts of tight end David Thomas and cornerback Johnny Patrick.
The report also said Bushrod would become an unrestricted free agent, but the Saints can re-sign Bushrod before he can hit the open market if the team chooses to do so. General Manager Mickey Loomis said earlier this offseason that Bushrod was the Saints' top free-agent priority.
Source: The Times Picayune
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February 22, 2013
