The future is hard to believe.

[Dante84]

I was envisioning (in scenario 3) a trade contingent on a deal, unlike the one we did with the Ravens. I also figured that there’s a dip in the market for capable LT’s right now, and given our team’s success, perhaps someone would cough up the equivalent of a late first. You make a more than fair point that it would be a lower value than that, so you won’t get much pushback here.

Regarding the tag (scenario 1), I like the move because it gives us the extra year to find (or groom) his replacement, rather than throwing a FA JAG or Rookie at LT to protect the greatest QB who ever lived. The other option there is to let him walk and then trade for a starting LT, but then we are giving up draft capital and cap space for a (neutral?) player.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Dante84

I was envisioning (in scenario 3) a trade contingent on a deal, unlike the one we did with the Ravens. I also figured that there’s a dip in the market for capable LT’s right now, and given our team’s success, perhaps someone would cough up the equivalent of a late first. You make a more than fair point that it would be a lower value than that, so you won’t get much pushback here.

Regarding the tag (scenario 1), I like the move because it gives us the extra year to find (or groom) his replacement, rather than throwing a FA JAG or Rookie at LT to protect the greatest QB who ever lived. The other option there is to let him walk and then trade for a starting LT, but then we are giving up draft capital and cap space for a (neutral?) player.

We don't have a great long-term option at RT either, though.

So I think that if you can't get OBJ signed to a reasonable extension, you let him walk, draft a guy, sign a veteran stop-gap and then retain Wylie.

The veteran stop gap (or even that RFA kid w/ the Packers some are clamoring for) could be the long-term RT. Or the draft pick could be the long-term RT. And in the interim, Wylie can continue to hold down the fort.

I mean its obviously not a perfect option, but it's an available one. And it's one that I'd prefer to retaining OBJ on the tag and with a $20 million cap hit.