With Deadline Upon Us, Anthony Harris Expected to Play 2020 Under Franchise Tag

It looks as though the Minnesota Vikings and star-safety, Anthony Harris, will not be able to reach a long-term contract agreement, before the deadline to do so at 3PM CT, today (according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, among others). Anthony Harris has already signed his franchise tender so that’s what he will play under, if a last-second deal can’t be consummated.

July 15

At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a oneyear contract with his prior club for the 2020 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.

NFL Operations

The #Vikings and star S Anthony Harris are not expected to reach a deal prior to the franchise tag deadline, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Franchise tag deals have been scarce, and this is another example. He’ll play on the tag that is already signed.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2020

Source says there are still efforts as clock ticks down to get Anthony Harris locked up to long-term extension with the #Vikings but it is a long shot. He most likely will play this season under the one-year, $11.441 million franchise tag. Deadline is 45 minutes away at 3 p.m CDT

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 15, 2020

Negotiating to the last moment

Harris’ franchise tag is worth one-year, $11.44 million. Yet, both sides still seem intent on, at the least, continuing discussion until the last moment. With both sides appearing so willing, you have to question how far apart the team and Harris are on money and length.

If they do not reach an agreement, Harris will again be a free agent, come 2021. The Minnesota Vikings have already tried to move him in the past. That conversation would certainly continue into the season, if he plays under the tag.

The #Vikings and Anthony Harris are not expected to agree to a long-term deal according to multiple reports

He’ll be a free agent in 2021

The Vikings also tried to trade him to the #Giants back in March per @MikeGarafolo

— Adam Patrick (@Str8_Cash_Homey) July 15, 2020

As we discussed, when Harris signed his tag earlier this year, the Vikings may not be interested in keeping Harris beyond a couple of years. Especially when considering he’s only really had one stellar year, out of the five he’s played.

However, with a very young secondary beyond their two veteran safeties, Harris could be very important in Zimmer’s (who still doesn’t have a job beyond 2020) eyes. If both Harris and Smith play to the same level as they did in 2019, expect the Vikings’ secondary to be beyond scary — no matter how inexperienced the CB’s are.

Just succumbed to a PFF subscription because of this thread…

PFF NFL Safety Rank (w/starting reps):
1. Anthony Harris (MIN) – 91.1
2. Justin Simmons (DEN) – 90.8
3. Harrison Smith (MIN) – 88.4 https://t.co/xNPyfgYVLG

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 8, 2020

Former #UVa safety Anthony Harris snags a big interception for the Vikings. pic.twitter.com/u1tWe1Mkz3

— John Shifflett (@John_Shifflett) January 5, 2020

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan