The threat of the tag is not the same as being on the tag. Of course Allen and his camp want to negotiate now. It's a better position to negotiate from (albeit slightly) and one from which they can paint the FO as the bad guys pretty easily in the media when the inevitable tag comes. We have a fan base willing to lap up negative narratives about the FO with mere insinuation of ineptitude or wrong doing. If I were in Allen's camp, I might consider playing that card if need be especially if I was going to ask for Bosa money or something near there. The more time that goes by between now and the deadline for a long term deal, the better the Jags FO position gets. Both parties know this.

Fans getting emotionally involved about someone else's financial negotiation is funny to me though. The whole point of negotiation is to attempt to find the lowest price someone is willing to accept for a good or service. Except when it comes to athletes apparently. Some fans expect the front office to just pay a guy whatever he wants so he doesn't get mad. I don't fault players for using whatever leverage they have and I don't fault FO's for trying to get the player to sign for as little as they can. Get emotionally involved if Allen sits out games, otherwise let the process play out. You don't have all the information like you think you do. But Baalke bad, so everything must be viewed through a negative lens I guess.

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