Report: Baltimore Ravens To Franchise Tag Ray Rice

The Baltimore Ravens intend to franchise tag running back Ray Rice, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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It was expected that Baltimore would give Rice the franchise tag in order to open up negotiations over the coming year about a potential long term deal. The 25-year-old is slotted to become an unrestricted free-agent next season.

Rice indicated earlier this month that he would like his next deal to be similar to the seven-year, $100 million contract running back Adrian Peterson signed with the Minnesota Vikings last year, according to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. 

Last season Rice ran for 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also hauled in 76 passes for 704 yards and three touchdowns through the air. It marked the third consecutive season that Rice has ran for 1,200 or more yards and caught 60-or-more passes.

In the three-years prior to signing his $100 million deal, Peterson averaged 1,480 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.