Following a breakout season, Joe Thuney was set to cash in during the free agency period in March. The Patriots' starting left guard made his first All-Pro team last year and it seemed like perfect timing. At the NFL combine in February, rumors were swirling that Thuney would reset the market at guard and could earn upward of $14 million per season.
For that reason, many thought his days in New England were over.
Instead, the Patriots had other ideas and placed the franchise tag on the 27-year-old, who will now earn a guaranteed $14.78 million in 2020.