Rotoworld is reporting that the Steelers have placed the transition tag on Max Starks. This gives him a one year tender of a salary with an average of the top 10 salaries at the position and gives the Steelers the right of first refusal for any offer. THIS DOES NOT GIVE THEM ANY COMPENSATION SHOULD STARKS DECIDE TO SIGN ELSEWHERE! Discuss.
Like an RFA in that the Steelers have the right of first refusal. Not like an RFA because they get NO compensation if Starks goes to another team.
The right of first refusal can easily be overcome with a "poison pill." For instance, if the Jets give him an offer sheet that has a clause that says "if Max plays more than 4 games in PA his salary is $100 million" then the Steelers obviously cannot match this offer.
These tags are flowing like crazy now. I guess the teams have enough money to feel that they can tag w/o busting the cap. BTW the Seahawks franchise tagged Trufant as well (see nfl.com).
Which means he now has the market cornered and will command huge bucks. More than Nate Clements? Definatley.
