The New York Jets placed the franchise tag on safety Marcus Maye, according to multiple media reports Monday night.
Maye, who turns 28 on Tuesday, became the first Jets player since Muhammad Wilkerson in 2016 to receive the tag.
Maye’s salary will be around $10.5 million guaranteed in 2021 if the two parties fail to reach a long-term agreement by mid-July.
Though there is still time for a long-term deal to be struck, Maye’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, has expressed publicly his disenchantment with the Jets for not making that happen.
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That prompted general manager Joe Douglas to reiterate that talks were still ongoing.
“Look, this is part of the business, part of negotiating,” Douglas said recently. “I don’t see this as affecting our ability to get something done with Marcus that’s beneficial for both him and the team.”
Maye had a strong season in 2020 after taking over as the defensive leader following the team’s trade of Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks last offseason.
The four-year starter snagged two interceptions, recorded two sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered one fumble while starting all 16 games for New York.
In four NFL seasons, all with New York, Maye has appeared in 54 games (all starts) and logged six interceptions, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 22 passes defensed.
–Field Level Media