If the Buffalo Bills elect to use the franchise tag on Jordan Phillips, it makes sense for only one reason.
The past few days the defensive tackle position has gotten a lot of attention from the Buffalo Bills. Earlier this week, the team was able to restructure the contract of Star Lotulelei and free up $1.75 million in cap space.
One of the team’s most pressing questions this offseason is what they do with defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. The former second round by the Miami Dolphins in 2015 had a breakout year last season with 9.5 sacks.
He is now in position to reap the rewards in a big contract through free agency. However, there is rumors now that the Bills may not let him get to free agency but rather use the franchise tag as noted by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. He wrote:
"Teams figure Judon, Barrett, Jordan Phillips (Bills), Yannick Ngakoue (Jaguars) get tagged for sure, and despite some cap and contractual issues, it’s not out of the question the Steelers (Bud Dupree) and 49ers (Arik Armstead) do the same on their pass rushers. Chris Jones may be too steep for the Chiefs to retain – he would get a mega-deal in that instance – but otherwise expect it to be tweeners and quasi-busts like Vic Beasley and Dante Fowler, Jr. who highlight the edge market."
This would certainly be a hefty contract that would likely be in the range of $15 million for one year, according to Over the Cap. At a position that has Lotulelei, along with young players like Harrison Phillips and Ed Oliver, it doesn’t make sense for the Bills to dedicate such a large salary to Phillips.
Unless that reason is to give them time to facilitate a trade.
There would certainly be a number of logistical pieces that would need to be worked out, starting with Phillips signing the franchise tag, however Brandon Beane has shown a propensity to wheel and deal during his time as general manager of the Buffalo Bills.
Last season was a perfect example as the Bills were able to work out trades right before the start of the season that sent Russell Bodine to the Patriots and Wyatt Teller to the Browns. While the return was minimal, a fifth round and two sixth round picks between the two trades, this was at least something for two players that were almost certainly going to be cut as the Bills trimmed their roster down to 53 players.
This desire to maximize value could be the reason the Bills elect to tag Phillips. As noted he is coming off an excellent season and La Canfora is including Phillips in an excellent group of players. There almost certainly would be a market for Phillips and if the Bills are able to collect draft picks for a player that almost walked away for free, it makes sense to franchise tag him this offseason.
If the Buffalo Bills believe that Jordan Phillips is part of the long term future of this organization then the franchise tag is not the answer and they must work out a long term deal. However, if they elect to go in another direction, then using the franchise tag makes sense because they could then trade Phillips and get something in return.