Hampton Says the Franchise Tag Would be “A Slap in my Face”

Upcoming Steeler free agent Casey Hampton is already talking about the issues that will take place if the Steelers decide to do what a lot of experts think they will – place the franchise tag on him. Hampton went so far to say it’s a “slap in my face.”

Nose tackle Casey Hampton said Friday “it will be a problem” if the Steelers use a franchise tag and offer him a one-year contract instead of signing the accomplished veteran to a multi-year deal. “You say we’re family, and you’ll take care of me. All I’ve done for this organization, and I feel like that’s a slap in my face if you franchise me,” Hampton told the Tribune-Review following a Pro Bowl practice at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. “That’s not right. You don’t do business like that. I want to be treated fair, and I think franchising me is not fair.” A franchise tag would essentially prevent Hampton from hitting the open market when the free agent signing period begins March 5. Hampton didn’t elaborate when asked if he would skip offseason practices – most of which are voluntary – or hold out of training camp should the Steelers use a franchise tag on him. “It will be an issue,” he said. “I told (the Steelers) that.”

This is gonna fall clearly on Hampton and what he feels he’s worth. The Steelers have already said they want to keep Hampton, and it’s gonna be up to the big guy if he’s willing to take what will probably be a slightly smaller yet fair deal from the Steelers, or a deal from some other team that will overpay, but where he’ll not have as much success as in Pittsburgh.