Cardinals place franchise tag on Campbell

The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that the team has placed the “non-exclusive” franchise tag on defensive end Calais Campbell.

The deadline for franchise tag designation is Monday (March 5) at 2:00 PM Arizona time. Under the terms of the “non-exclusive” franchise tag designation, a player receives a one-year tender at 120% of his 2012 salary or the average of the five highest paid NFL players at his position in 2012, whichever is greater.

“We’ve made no secret of the high regard in which we hold Calais,” said Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves. “To be clear, reaching a long-term deal that will keep Calais with the Cardinals for years to come remains our primary objective.  This move today allows us the opportunity to continue working with Calais and his agent toward that goal and that’s exactly what we will do.”

The Cardinals can continue to negotiate a long-term contract with Campbell through July 16. If he receives an offer sheet from another team, the Cardinals can match it or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.