Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the team will consider using the franchise tag on defensive tackle Grady Jarrett if the two sides cannot reach a new deal by the Tuesday deadline.
“I would say it’s definitely on the table to discuss really thoroughly, but we’ll have to wait until to then to see if a deal can be done first,” Quinn said on Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine.
The franchise tag for defensive tackles was $13.615 million last season. The tag is projected to be more than $14 million for Jarrett.
“The good news is ... that our team and Grady’s team can have good conversations about things that hopefully we can keep working towards some common ground that would be right for both sides,” Quinn said. “Until, we’ll take all of the time that both sides need. Both sides know that he’s a really important piece.”
Jarrett’s agent has not returned texts or calls.
» More: Grady Jarrett: From ash to hellfire
The NFL has projected its 2019 salary cap will fall between $187 million and $191.1 million, a jump of about 5.5 percent. You can expect roughly similar growth in the positional values.
Jarrett would count against the salary cap at that level. Jarrett’s value is very high after a stellar contract season.
OverTheCap.com and ProFootballFocus.com have projected that Jarrett is worth a five-year, $82.5 million deal with $46 million guaranteed. Spotrac has a lower, five-year $76.2 million projection on Jarrett.
Jarrett had 52 tackles, six sacks, 16 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and eight tackles for losses last season.
After his selection in the fifth round of the NFL draft, Jarrett signed a four-year, $2.527 million deal with the Falcons on May 8, 2015.
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