It’s official, my Mankins has been franchise tagged. Did anyone out there really expect the Patriots weren’t going use every bit of leverage that they have? Of course not. The question now is which one of three ways this goes:

1. Mankins plays the year under the Franchise Tag which would net him $10.1 million. Some sort of hold out might be likely in this situation.
2. This was only a way to extend their bargaining window and Pats/Mankins work out a long term deal. 
3. Pats find a suitable trade partner and unload him to a team they don’t have to see much of.

One small reason for optimism is that I can’t imagine the Pats really want to pay my Mankins $10.1 million this year. The trade price would be steep, certainly at least a 1st round pick.