The Jacksonville Jaguars today designated safety Donovin Darius as a franchise player. NFL clubs can designate one franchise player per year, and Darius is the second franchise player ever tagged by the Jaguars (Tony Brackens received the franchise tag in 2000).

Under the collective bargaining agreement provisions, the Jaguars are required to tender Darius an offer for a one-year contract equal to the average of the top five salaries of NFL safeties last season, which is $3,043,000. As a "non-exclusive" franchise player, Darius can negotiate with other teams. If Darius signs an offer sheet with another team, the Jaguars would have the right to match the offer. If the Jaguars declined to match the offer, they would receive two first-round draft choices from the signing team as compensation.

Players subject to the franchise tag may still negotiate long-term contracts with their current team. However, if a long-term deal is reached between March 14 and July 15, the team would lose its right to use the franchise tag again for the duration of the deal. # # #