Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward called the NFL’s franchise tag “stupid” on Wednesday, arguing that the designation works against players.
“Why should any team be able to take advantage of a player for one year? It’s used in negotiations, and I think between the player options, the franchise tags, the way they control rookies, I think it’s kind of backward,” Heyward said, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
Heyward’s comments come as his teammate Joey Porter Jr. negotiates a new contract with the Steelers, though the sides haven’t found common ground. Pittsburgh has typically stopped contract talks once the regular season starts, and Porter, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, could become a franchise-tag candidate next offseason if he doesn’t sign an extension.
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