As just reported by Pro Football Talk, it now looks like talented Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward will not be franchised tagged and will hit the open market next week.
The Browns' decision to use the transition tag on Alex Mack means T.J. Ward will hit the market, barring a deal to stay before March 11.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 3, 2014
Ward just finished the final year of his rookie contract and will be looking to get a nice deal. While he’ll likely come a bit cheaper than the Buffalo Bills Jairus Byrd, he’ll still fetch a pretty penny on the open free agent market. Ward’s biggest downfall is he has a bit of an injury bug which bit him hard during the 2011 season, keeping him out of half of the games that year.
Still, Ward came back with a vengence last year, logging the best season of his career with 123 tackles, one and a half sacks, 2 picks, a forced fumble and 10 passes defended.
If the Chiefs could find a good deal with Ward, he would be a huge upgrade at one of their biggest positions of need in the free safety. With Ward lining up next to Chiefs star safety, Eric Berry they would defintely give the front seven time to get to the quarterback.
What do you think, Addicts? Worth a look? Sound of below.