WASHINGTON — The Redskins have placed the franchise tag on quarterback Kirk Cousins, setting him up to earn about $20 million for next season while still leaving open the possibility of a long-term contract.
Tuesday was the deadline for NFL teams to use a franchise or transition tag. By choosing the franchise tag, the Redskins prevent Cousins from becoming an unrestricted free agent -- a status that would leave Washington with nothing in return if the player reached a deal with another team.
Cousins had a breakthrough year last season, his fourth in the league but first as a full-time starter, taking the job from Robert Griffin III late in preseason and never letting go. Washington won the NFC East behind Cousins.
Broncos: Super Bowl MVP Von Miller tagged
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have placed their exclusive franchise tag on Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller.
That guarantees the star pass rusher a salary of $14.129 million for 2016.
However, both sides are confident they'll work out an extension before the July 15 deadline that will make Miller yet another $100 million player.
No other team can negotiate with Miller, who led Denver's destructive defense to a 24-10 victory over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl last month.
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General manager John Elway had hoped to get a deal done with Miller's agent by Tuesday so he wouldn't have to use the franchise tag on the outside linebacker who has 60 sacks in his first five NFL seasons.
Panthers: Non-exclusive tag for Josh Norman
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman.
The team made the announcement before Tuesday's deadline.
Norman will make $13.952 million next season unless he signs a long-term contract extension. Carolina has until mid-July to negotiate a new deal with Norman.
Since the Panthers used the non-exclusive franchise tag option, other teams can approach him with offers. If an offer is made and Carolina doesn't match, the Panthers would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation for losing him.
Norman told The Associated Press that "sure, everyone wants a long-term contract because it means more stability. But there isn't much you can do."
The 28-year-old Norman had four interceptions in the first four games of the 2015 season, returning two for touchdowns.
Bills: Mario Williams cut; Cordy Glenn tagged
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have released high-priced defensive end Mario Williams and retained the rights to left tackle Cordy Glenn by designating him their franchise player.
The moves were announced Tuesday as the Bills began addressing their roster before the start of the NFL's free-agency period next week.
Williams' release frees the salary cap-strapped team of nearly $13 million in payroll next season. He had two years left on the six-year, $100 million contract, and was scheduled to make an $11.5 million base salary this year.
Williams' departure opened room for Buffalo to tag Glenn, who was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. The $13.7 million designation is essentially a one-year contract offer which Glenn can sign or negotiate a longer-term deal with Buffalo.
The Bills also released offensive guard Kraig Urbik and running back Boobie Dixon.
Dolphins: Olivier Vernon gets transition tag
DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon on Tuesday, the deadline for tagging unrestricted free agents.
This year's transition tag number calls for defensive ends to receiver $12.734 million if the sides can't reach a long-term deal. A transition tag allows the player to negotiate with other teams, but his current club has the right of first refusal to match any offer.
Vernon, 25, has spent all four years of his career with the Dolphins after the team selected in the third round (72nd overall) in the 2012 draft. Vernon has played in 64 games, starting all 32 games the past two seasons, and has become a force as a pass rusher. Over the past three seasons, Vernon has 25 1-2 sacks. He led the Dolphins with 7 1-2 sacks and 36 quarterback hits (36) in 2015.