With Deadline Upon Us, Anthony Harris Expected to Play 2020 Under Franchise Tag

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It looks as though the Minnesota Vikings and star-safety, Anthony Harris, will not be able to reach a long-term contract agreement, before the deadline to do so at 3PM CT, today (according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, among others). Anthony Harris has already signed his franchise tender so that’s what he will play under, if a last-second deal can’t be consummated.


July 15

At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a oneyear contract with his prior club for the 2020 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.

NFL Operations



Negotiating to the last moment

Harris’ franchise tag is worth one-year, $11.44 million. Yet, both sides still seem intent on, at the least, continuing discussion until the last moment. With both sides appearing so willing, you have to question how far apart the team and Harris are on money and length.

If they do not reach an agreement, Harris will again be a free agent, come 2021. The Minnesota Vikings have already tried to move him in the past. That conversation would certainly continue into the season, if he plays under the tag.



As we discussed, when Harris signed his tag earlier this year, the Vikings may not be interested in keeping Harris beyond a couple of years. Especially when considering he’s only really had one stellar year, out of the five he’s played.

However, with a very young secondary beyond their two veteran safeties, Harris could be very important in Zimmer’s (who still doesn’t have a job beyond 2020) eyes. If both Harris and Smith play to the same level as they did in 2019, expect the Vikings’ secondary to be beyond scary — no matter how inexperienced the CB’s are.



Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

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