The term 'franchise tag' is thrown around the sports media with impunity, as if we all know what this stuff really means.
Okay sure, maybe if you play NFL video games you know everything there is about managing a virtual football team, or perhaps you're Mike Tannenbaum and pop up on ESPN every 5 minutes for an argument about coffee stains on contracts, then yes, you love this language.
Great. But for the rest of us schmoes, this sort of front office jargon is about as irritating as an Adam Gase press conference.
Wake us up when you have some football news, guys.
For anyone still with us here, Chicago Bears wideout Allen Robinson has had the franchise tag placed upon him, as per our pals at the Worldwide Leader. This is breaking news in 2021, in case you're wondering.
But I'm not actually sure if this involves an in-person scenario where someone pins a Walmart-style price tag to the player, or someone rubber stamps his behind, but he's been marked, okay. Just mark my words.
The crux of the matter is a long-term deal wasn't met between the Bears and Robinson, despite the fact he caught 102 passes for 1,250 yards last season.
So, in short, Allen and Bears bosses didn't see eye-to-eye on money, but rather than lose him to free agency, this 'tag' holds him in Chicago for a year.
I don't love this idea from the player's perspective because it feels like a 'no-vote' of confidence. It's like betting on both red and black. Are you Team Aniston or Team Jolie? Come on now. The guy carried the club's offense, as NFL.com's Kevin Patra has pointed out.
The tag also means the player gets an average payment in that short time, not necessarily what they deserve out in the open market.
At least throw some lifetime deep dish pizza at the guy ... a little Portillos dog ... invite him to a few tailgate grills ... something.
Where's Coach Ditka when you need him? He'd straighten this out.
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