Two Key Off Season Dates

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By John B on Feb 8, 2016, 8:29p

Feb. 16

22 days before the start of the 2016 league year

This is the first day of a two-week period where teams can designate franchise or transition players. Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman and New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson are the players most likely to be franchised. Miller's franchise tag number should be $14.076 million if the 2016 salary cap is set at $153.4 million. It should be $15.434 million, $14.471 million and $13.784 million for Wilkerson, Jeffery and Norman, respectively.

All signs point to Wilkerson getting the franchise tag at least to begin with. There is no indication Wilkerson and the Jets are making progress on a new contract. There isn't even an indication the two sides are working on a new deal. The resolution of Wilkerson's situation sets into motion a string of events for the Jets. If he is playing under the franchise tag, it greatly limits the amount the Jets can spend in the offseason both to retain their own free agents and upgrade the roster. A new deal with a lower 2016 cap hit or a trade would give the Jets more money to play with. Of course a trade would also cost the team the guy who was the best defensive player on the team last season.

March 11

Third day of 2016 league year

Jets: Wide receiver Brandon Marshall's $9.5 million 2016 base salary, which was guaranteed for injury at signing, is fully guaranteed.

A year ago we were in wait and see mode. It was unclear whether Marshall would see 2016 with the Jets. This is now a mere formality. Marshall will certainly be back, and his pricetag seems like something of a bargain if he can produce at anything close to his typical career rate..