New York Jets Offseason: Team Franchise Tag History Since 2000

With the Jets expected to use their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson, let's take a look at how the Jets have utilized the tag since the year 2000.

2000: Mo Lewis

The star linebacker was coming off a second consecutive Pro Bowl season when the Jets put the tag on him in February of 2000. The Jets and Lewis eventually worked out a long-term extension of May of that year, keeping him in green and white for the rest of his career. Lewis played four more seasons with the Jets, making another Pro Bowl in 2000 as well as an All Pro second team.

2005: John Abraham

The Jets unable to agree to a long-term deal with their star pass rusher by the time free agency hit in 2005, concerned with his durability, so they put the tag on him. An unhappy Abraham sat out training camp. There was nothing the Jets could do since he had not signed the one year contract that comes with the franchise tag. Abraham put up 10 sacks in what was a lost season for the team.

2006: John Abraham

The Jets once again put the tag on Abraham in 2006. This time the two sides were not going to reconcile. Abraham wanted a long-term deal. The Jets had a new coach, Eric Mangini, who was installing a 3-4 defense which would have forced a position change. After tagging Abraham, the Jets traded the linebacker to Atlanta. Denver was also involved in what amounted to a three team trade. The Jets received a late first round pick they used to select center Nick Mangold from Ohio State.

2011: David Harris

The uncertainty or the coming NFL lockout made it difficult for the Jets to retain their free agents in the winter of 2011. Harris, their star linebacker, was the top priority so the Jets played it safe, giving him the tag. Once the lockout ended, the Jets gave Harris a big extension.

2014: Nick Folk

With Folk coming off a career year, the Jets made the interesting decision to tag their kicker. The team quickly worked out a longer term deal with Folk to put near the top of the league in kicker salary.