Schefter: Texans will not use franchise tag on A.J. Bouye
The Houston Texans need to sign A.J. Bouye to an extension or let him walk as a free agent.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Houston Texans will not use the franchise tag on cornerback A.J. bouye.
Texans not expected to use franchise tag on standout CB A.J. Bouye, per source. Doesn't mean they won't re-sign him; just no tag.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2017
This isn’t a surprise at all, since numerous reporters have been saying over the past month that Bouye won’t get tagged by the Texans.
Bouye told Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com that he’s not mad at the Texans for not using the tag on him.
More from Toro Times
- Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?
- Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
- Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
- Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
- Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith
If the Texans had more cap room, I could see them tagging Bouye, but with a franchise tag number of around $14 million for cornerbacks, they simply can’t afford to tie up that much money into one player.
ESPN’s John Clayton has already come out and projected that Bouye will likely get a contract that pays him $12 million a year.
If the Texans aren’t able to re-sign Bouye, I could see teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns going after him.
The good news for the Texans is that this year’s draft is loaded with cornerback talent. So if they do end up losing Bouye, I believe they will look to replace him in April’s draft.