:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59008705/900098762.jpg.1520949382.jpg)
With a deadline looming on Wednesday at 4:00 PM Eastern, the Green Bay Packers have locked in a few of their young contributors for the 2018 season. According to various reports, the team has issued minimum salary tenders to a trio of players who are exclusive-rights free agents for the upcoming year.
The group of tendered players consists of the following so far:
This list contains some notable players, including one who is expected to compete for a starting job on the offensive line in McCray. Clark and Brown both earned promotions to the active roster late in the season after spending most of 2017 on the Packers’ practice squad.
By issuing these tenders, the Packers retain sole negotiating rights with these players. This means that they are free to negotiate a long-term contract with the Packers if they so choose, or else they can sign the one-year tender for the league minimum salary. These players all have two or fewer years of NFL experience, so the largest salary for any player among the group would be that of a two-year veteran, or $660,000. Players with only one year of experience would be paid $585,000, while those without a full accrued season are eligible for the first-year minimum of $510,000.
The Packers still have another eight players who are exclusive-rights free agents, several of whom are likely to be tendered by the 4 PM ET Wednesday deadline.
UPDATE: On Tuesday, two more ERFAs reportedly received their tenders from the Packers: guard Lucas Patrick (source) and quarterback Joe Callahan (source).