As several readers have pointed out, the calculation we posted earlier in the day for the 2009 franchise tender at the quarterback position omitted the 2008 cap number of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose new contract executed during the season put him among the five highest-paid quarterbacks of the year.
By way of background, the non-exclusive franchise tag requires a tender based on the five highest-paid players at the same position from the prior year. The exclusive version of the tag, which precludes the player from negotiating with other teams, uses the current year’s cap numbers. The current year’s numbers typically are higher — and they can increase as other deals are done.
Rodgers’ 2008 cap number was $13,957,419. This number bumps Brett Favre’s $12 million cap number from the top five, and it pushes the 2009 franchise tender at quarterback from $14.4 million to $14.835 million.
Thus, if the Patriots place the franchise tag on Cassel, they’ll be required to carry $14.835 million in cap space until they trade him, rescind the tag, or sign him to a long-term deal.
