The cost to retain Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney using the NFL’s “franchise” tag has gone up from $8.644 million to $9.293 million. Franchise tag contracts are determined by the average contract of the five most highly paid players at a given position; in Freeney’s case, the top five most highly paid defensive ends will earn an average of $9.293 million this year.

But the Colts remain optimistic they will get a long-term deal done in the coming months. Doing so would work in their favor on two levels: first, the team will not take as large a hit on the salary cap, and, secondly, the Colts will keep one of the league’s best defensive ends around for the long haul.

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