Broncos, Ryan Clady expected to resume contract talks as franchise tag deadline looms
The representatives for franchised Denver Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady expect to receive a new contract offer from the team next week, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports.
Clady, a three-time Pro Bowler, has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender, which is worth $9.828 million in what will be fully guaranteed base salary. The two sides resumed talks in June, but no deal was reached at that time.
The increased dialogue between the two sides does not come as a surprise as they have until 4 p.m. ET on July 15 to reach agreement on a multi-year contract. If no deal is reached by July 15, Clady will play out the season under the franchise tag and will not be able to reach agreement on a multi-year deal until after the final regular season game of the season.
Clady and Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd are the only two franchised players to not sign their one-year tender. None of the eight players that received the franchise tag this offseason have been signed to a multi-year extension. Last offseason, a record 21 players received the franchise tag, with 12 receiving long-term extensions before the mid-July deadline.
If last year is any indication, this year's fast-approaching deadline on July 15 could spur action on a few deals.
Of the 12 franchised players to sign a long-term extension last offseason, five did not sign their new deals until the July 16, 2012 deadline. On that day, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees signed his five-year, $100 million contract, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice signed his five-year, $35 million deal, Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte signed a four-year, $30.4 million contract, Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch signed a four-year, $26.6 million deal and last, but not least, Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee signed his four-year, $13.8 million contract.
Here's a look at the eight players who were franchised this offseason with the amount of available cap space his team currently has in parentheses:
Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd - $6.916 million ($18.665 million)
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton - $8.45 million ($1.638 million)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson - $11.175 million ($19.968 million)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker/defensive end Anthony Spencer - $10.627 million ($8.124 million)
Denver Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady - $9.828 million ($10.698 million)
Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee - $2.977 million ($6.935 million)
Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert - $9.828 million ($3.562 million)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks - $8.45 million ($17.635 million)
