Jets' Harris signs franchise tender
Jets linebacker David Harris appears to be in line to make more than $10 million next season after signing the team's franchise tender. Credit: Getty Images
David Harris has signed his one-year franchise tender, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
The Jets' playmaking linebacker appears to be in line to collect a 2011 salary of just more than $10 million - the average of the NFL's five highest-paid linebackers in 2010. However, with the uncertainty surrounding the NFL labor landscape because of the lack of a new collective-bargaining agreement, it's unclear exactly how the franchise designation is going to work out.
Despite slapping the tag on him, the Jets still can work out a long-term contract with Harris, who is one of the key members of Rex Ryan's defense.
Two defensive teammates of Harris are unlikely to return next season. The Jets aren't expected to retain defensive ends Jason Taylor and former first-round pick Vernon Gholston.
GM Mike Tannenbaum said Thursday that "there are some loose ends we want to get taken care of by the end of the league year." The league year ends Thursday, which means both players could be gone by then.
