Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst referred to using a franchise tag on Davante Adams as a last resort last week when meeting with the local Green Bay media. The All-Pro wide receiver is exactly the type of player that typically gets franchised, although the last time the Packers used the designation was in 2010 on defensive tackle Ryan Pickett.
Adams is the NFL’s most productive wide receiver since signing his expiring four-year contract extension at the end of the 2017 season. He leads the NFL in receptions (432), receiving yards (5,310) and touchdown catches (47) during this span. Adams set the Packers single season record for receiving yardage with 1,553 yards in 2021. He also had 123 catches to break his own team record along with 11 receiving touchdowns.
The Packers have less than a week to avoid the last resort scenario. The deadline for NFL teams to designate a franchise player is 4 p.m. ET on March 8. Gutekunst indicated there’s been “constant communication” with Adams and his representatives during his media session on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The Packers already have a challenging salary cap situation without a $20.12 million franchise tag for Adams. After entering the offseason approximately $50 million over the projected $208.2 million 2022 salary cap, the Packers have started decreasing the overage by restructuring multiple contracts (tackle David Bakhtiari, defensive tackle Kenny Clark, running back Aaron Jones). The overage doesn’t factor in Adams’ franchise tag. The $20.12 million would become a Green Bay salary cap charge as soon as the designation is made.
Could the Packers and Adams reach a long-term deal?
The Packers and Adams weren’t close to reaching an agreement during negotiations last offseason. Adams wanted to replace DeAndre Hopkins as the NFL’s highest paid wide receiver. The