NASHVILLE, TN, Feb. 20, 2008 –The Tennessee Titans exercised their option of placing the franchise tag on DT Albert Haynesworth, thereby restricting his status when unrestricted free agency opens February 29. NFL teams have until 3 p.m. (central) tomorrow to designate any player as their "franchise player."
"This is a step in the process with Albert. This designation gives us more time to work on a long-term contract with him," said Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt. "He was a dominant player for us this past season and one of the key components to our success on defense."
Other teams still have the ability to sign Haynesworth to a contract, but the Titans would have the option to match the contract terms or be compensated with two first-round draft choices. The Titans have until July 15 to work on a multi-year deal, after which date, only a one-year deal can be signed by the team and player.