The Indianapolis Colts have elected to use the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, with Alec Pierce now set to become a free agent. General manager Chris Ballard could be heading down a dangerous path.
Let’s start with Jones.
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By using the transition tag, Jones would still be able to negotiate with other teams, with the caveat that the Colts would have the opportunity to match any offer he receives.
The reason for using the transition tag in the first place is that the Colts and Jones can’t agree on a long-term deal, and by utilizing this tool, Ballard must feel confident in what he expects Jones’ market to look like when other teams are able to participate.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones had this to say about the Colts’ choice to use the transition tag:
“One league source believes the Colts are taking a certain risk if they use the transition tag on Jones. The former Giants quarterback isn’t going to sign an offer sheet from anywhere — think Jets — and teams like the Cardinals and Dolphins may not have the money to complete a deal with Jones. On top of that, teams may be wary of looking to lock up a quarterback they don’t know if he’s seriously injured.”
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However, if Ballard is wrong and the market for Jones becomes more active, that will only drive up his price. Considering Ballard has now won and the Colts have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons, he’s in no position to say no and will almost certainly have to match any offer. That could reduce his flexibility to address other position groups on the roster.
Beyond that important aspect, even Ballard’s choice to use the transition tag instead of the franchise tag is a risk. The non-exclusive franchise tag allows a player to sign an offer sheet with another team, but the original team has the opportunity to match, and if they don’t, they receive two first-round picks in return.
Since draft picks are part of the equation, the chances of losing a transition tag player versus a franchise tag player are much greater, and the difference between the two tags is only $6 million, which is minuscule in the grand scheme of the NFL salary cap.
Now, as far as Pierce is concerned, with Jones being tagged, Pierce will hit the open market. The Colts can prevent this from happening by reaching a long-term deal with Pierce before the NFL’s legal tampering period begins on March 9.
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But from Pierce’s perspective, in terms of maximizing the value of his contract, entering free agency with numerous teams interested could further increase his salary. With Pierce not being tagged, the Colts likely have no chance of matching any offer he receives.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder also mentioned that clarity at the quarterback position is “very important” to Pierce. Labeling Jones a transition player might help provide some of that assurance, but it doesn’t do it directly either.
Maybe a week later, Jones and Pierce both agree to new deals with the Colts, all of which is a moot point. But to get to that point, the Colts need to take a big risk.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts use transition tag on Daniel Jones; why it’s a risky move
