Good news, Saints fans: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Marcus Williams has accepted the franchise tag, which will allow the team’s starting free safety to continue to negotiate a multiyear contract extension. Williams and the Saints must reach a deal by July 15, or else wait until the 2022 offseason to resume talks.
But both sides have incentives to get an agreement hammered out sooner than later. Williams won’t turn 25 until September, meaning he can sign a four- or even five-year extension and still expect another big money contract before he celebrates his 30th birthday.