Watch CBS News

Patriots Place Franchise Tag On Stephen Gostkowski

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots have applied the franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

The Patriots drafted Gostkowski in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft to replace Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri. Gostkowski has filled those shoes well over his nine seasons in New England, hitting 243 of his 280 field goal attempts, and is just 20 shy of Vinatieri's franchise record.

The franchise tag will pay him $4.1 million in 2015.

The Patriots issued the following statement: "Stephen has been extremely productive and a vital component to our success since joining our team in 2006. Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach an agreement, which is the goal."

This past season, Gostkowski successfully kicked 35 of his 37 field-goal attempts, good for a career-high 94.6 percent success rate. He was not called upon much in the postseason, going 1-for-1, bringing his career playoff total to 20-for-22.

In New England's Week 15 win over the Miami Dolphins, Gostkowski became the Patriots' all-time leading scorer with 1,179 points, surpassing Vinatieri's old mark in just his 134th game as a Patriot.

Gostkowski has been named to three Pro Bowls during his career.

The decision to franchise Gostkowski means safety Devin McCourty will enter free agency. McCourty represented the other logical choice for the Patriots to consider for use of the franchise tag.

The Patriots selected McCourty with the 27th overall pick in the 2010 draft. He shined as a cornerback in his rookie season, making seven interceptions, but struggled in his second year. He was moved to safety late in the 2011 season, and he's stayed there ever since, establishing himself as one of the better safeties in the NFL.

McCourty had 10 tackles and an interception in the playoffs this past postseason, including five tackles in the Super Bowl. In the regular season, he made 68 tackles and two interceptions in the regular season.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.