Former Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour wasn’t too keen on being sent to the Raiders last offseason, but he’ll have to spend another year in Oakland.
The Raiders have placed the franchise tag on the 30-year-old Seymour, which means that he’ll be paid $12.398 million next season, unless the sides are able to agree on a long-term deal.
Seymour played in all 16 games for Oakland in 2009, logging 47 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble in the final year of his previous contract. Although those numbers aren’t outstanding, the Raiders were pressured to keep Seymour because they gave up a 2011 first-round draft pick to obtain him from the Patriots.
The Raiders finished the 2009 season in third place in the AFC West, with a record of 5-11. They are unlikely to contend for a playoff spot next season and are still far off from fielding a Super Bowl-caliber roster, so Seymour likely will be tempted to leave Oakland next winter as he enters the twilight years of his career.
Al Davis‘ decision to use the pricey tag on Seymour before the Feb. 25 deadline could be an indication that multiyear contract talks between the parties are not going smoothly.
