The New England Patriots have never shied away from making the surprising move, and it seems as if this year’s offseason will see at least one of them: as first reported by the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride and since confirmed by his agent, Mike McCartney, the team will place the franchise tag on impending free agent Joe Thuney before today’s deadline. The Patriots’ starting left guard will therefore not enter free agency once it opens on Wednesday.
Thuney was expected to be one of the most popular offensive linemen to enter the open market this year, but the Patriots’ move alters the picture.