The NFL set the stage for a debate and probably a grievance by deciding to deem Jimmy Graham a tight end for purposes of the franchise tag.
The NFL’s Management Council announced its decision in a press release on Monday.
It means a grievance is likely to be filed by Graham and the NFL Players Association, which will argue that Graham should be considered a receiver, based on the language of the latest labor contract.
The amount of money a receiver would earn as a franchised player is considerably more than what a tight end would make if the franchise tag is applied.
As a tight end with a franchise tag, Graham would receive a one-year contract worth $7.053 million. If he were classified as a receiver, Graham would get a one-year deal worth $12.132 million.
Graham was one of four players to receive franchise tag as the deadline passed Monday afternoon. All four players received the non-exclusive franchise tag.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, the league’s release quotes language from the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which states that the tender will be based on “the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year.”
Graham will argue that he lined up more as receiver than as a tight end in 2013. The Saints will argue that tight ends routinely line up split wide, but that this does not make them something other than tight ends.
Graham and the Saints have until July 15 to reach agreement on a long-term contract. If no long-term deal is reached by then, Graham can only play under the franchise tag with the Saints or sit out.
The 6-foot-7, 265-pound Graham led the NFL with 16 receiving touchdowns in 2013