All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant and the NFL’s leader in sacks last season, Justin Houston, were among five players given the restrictive franchise designation before Monday’s deadline.
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski and Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas were all given the same non-exclusive franchise tag.
The franchise tag on Gostkowski means safety Devin McCourty likely is headed to free agency.
Gostkowski, a three-time Pro Bowl player, will be tendered a $4.1 million contract for 2015 — the average of the top five NFL salaries at his position. He is allowed to negotiate with other teams, but the Patriots would have the chance to match any offer sheet or receive two first-round draft picks from the signing team.
“Stephen has been extremely productive and a vital component to our success since joining our team in 2006,” the Patriots said in a statement. “Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach an agreement, which is the goal.”
Gostkowski made a career-best 94.6 percent (35 of 37) of his field-goal attempts in 2014 and became the Patriots’ all-time leading scorer with 1,179 points.
A fourth-round draft choice in 2006, replacing Adam Vinatieri, Gostkowski has converted 243 of 280 attempts, just 20 short of Vinatieri’s franchise record.
The Patriots used the franchise tag on Vinatieri in 2002 and 2005.
With the Patriots choosing to franchise Gostkowski over McCourty, the safety is expected to become a free agent on March 10. Last season, McCourty made 68 tackles and two interceptions.
It would have cost the Patriots $9.6 million to put the tag on McCourty. The Patriots are currently projected to be around $8 million over the $143.3 million cap.
Houston had 22 sacks for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014 and has 48.5 in his first four seasons in the NFL. The value of the franchise tender for a linebacker — Houston lines up as a pass rusher in the Chiefs’ 3-4 scheme — is $13.195 million. However, Houston reportedly will file a grievance to be labeled a defensive end. Only quarterbacks have a higher franchise tag value than defensive ends ($14.813 million).
The Dallas Cowboys tagged Bryant, who can make $12.823 million in 2015 if he chooses to sign the one-year tender that would make him one of the NFL’s third-highest paid receivers. Bryant would be tied with Thomas. Only Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions and Percy Harvin (New York Jets) are scheduled to make more next season.
All five players are permitted to entertain offers from other teams. Their current teams have the right to match any offer. If they opt not to match the contract offer, the current team can allow the player to sign elsewhere and receive two first-round picks in return as compensation.
Tight end Charles Clay was given the transition tag by the Miami Dolphins, assuring him a one-year contract worth more than $7 million next season.
There was keen interest around the league in the teams that did not use the franchise tag. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh can explore free agency next week if the Detroit Lions cannot sign him by this weekend, when suitors can first make contact with agents for unrestricted free agents.
Players can sign with other teams beginning March 10.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is also primed to hit the market after catching 12 touchdown passes in 2014. However, the Packers went down to the wire before signing their top free agent last March, cornerback Sam Shields, and remain optimistic they can keep Cobb.
Safety Devin McCourty, 27, would be a popular player in free agency if the Patriots can’t sign him to a new deal this week. McCourty and cornerback Darrelle Revis have contract matters that will be top priority in Foxborough. Revis’ deal includes an option bonus for next season that would make his cap charge $25 million.