The Packers are joining in on the defensive tackle franchise tag party.
In one of the first mild surprises of the offseason, Green Bay is expected to retain Ryan Pickett by using the franchise tag, according to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora.
Pickett and the Packers have been discussing a long-term deal, but the team will use the tag if they can’t consummate the extension by Thursday.
The move isn’t really a huge surprise. With no salary cap implications, it’s almost crazy not to use the tag to retain the rights to a quality starter.
Defensive tackles Vince Wilfork and Aubrayo Franklin have already been tagged, while Casey Hampton is expected to later in the week. We wonder if the agents for Franklin, Hampton, and Pickett will wait for Wilfork to set the market at the position.