The Green Bay Packers on Tuesday designated starting left tackle Chad Clifton a Franchise player, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced.
Under NFL rules, the Packers had until 3 p.m. CST Tuesday to designate a Franchise and/or Transition player.
The Packers continue to negotiate with Clifton regarding a long-term contract. Until such time, as the Packers' Franchise player:
- Clifton has a one-year contract at the offensive-line Franchise tender number set by the NFL;
- The Packers maintain a right of first refusal to match any team's offer received by Clifton;
- In the event another team presents an offer and the Packers elect not to match it, Green Bay would receive two first-round draft choices from the offering club.
If Clifton and the Packers can reach agreement on a long-term contract, that contract will replace the one-year Franchise-tender number.
Clifton, 27, Brett Favre's blind-side shield the last four seasons, started all 16 games in 2003. He made a successful comeback from a career-threatening injury sustained at Tampa Bay, Nov. 24, 2002.
