Report: Eagles will not place franchise tag on DRC

The Philadelphia Eagles are not going to secure the services of cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the franchise tag.

Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly reports that a club source said it is not an option for Rodgers-Cromartie, whose play since being acquired in the Kevin Kolb blockbuster trade two years ago has been up and down.

But that doesn’t mean Rodgers-Cromartie will not return to the Eagles. It is possible a multi-year contract can be worked out. The franchise tag number for cornerbacks is near $10.7 million and that was more than the club was willing to pay for one season.

In this event, it’s likely Rodgers-Cromartie will become an unrestricted free agent on March 12 where he can establish if his value is close to the figure the teams puts on it.

NFL clubs have between today and March 4 to use the tag, if desired. The Eagles placed the franchise tag on wide receiver DeSean Jackson last year before hammering out a long-term deal.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune