Vikings Tag Greenway

Chad Greenway is one of the biggest off season priorities for the Vikings, he is one of the top performing linebackers in the NFL and a huge part of the Vikings defense. They made a big move today to make sure he sicks around.

There are no guarantees the NFL's franchise tag will remain in place with a new collective bargaining agreement, but that hasn't stopped several teams from using the designation to keep a top-level player from hitting free agency.

The Vikings became the latest Monday when Chad Greenway was given the team's franchise tag. That means Greenway will be in line to receive a one-year contract offer that is worth the average of the top five salaries at linebacker from last season, or about $10 million. The Vikings also can discuss a long-term extension with the 28-year-old, who led the Vikings with 149 tackles last season.

"My initial reaction is I'm excited to be a Viking for at least another year," said Greenway, who was told of the decision by coach Leslie Frazier. "Obviously, I'm hoping to get a long-term deal done when a CBA is reached because I want to be a Viking my whole career. I'm excited to play for Coach Frazier and [linebackers coach] Mike Singletary, [defensive coordinator Fred] Pagac again."

via Vikings put tag on Greenway | StarTribune.com.