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It looks like tackle Jermon Bushrod is going to find out what kind of offers he can generate on the open market.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Saints will not use their franchise tag to assure Bushrod’s return as the starter on the left side of the offensive line and that he’ll become an unrestricted free agent on March 12. Neither piece of news is a big surprise.

The Saints are trying to create cap space right now and putting Bushrod down for $9.66 million would just require more work on that front. Given the plentiful options at tackle this offseason, Bushrod would probably sign a tender for that amount. The Saints, on the other hand, can probably see what kind of market Bushrod generates before deciding whether he’s worth the price others are willing to pay.

With former offensive line coach Aaron Kromer jumping to Chicago as the Bears’ offensive coordinator and line coach, they could be a possible landing spot for Bushrod. There will be other possibilities for the two-time Pro Bowler with a little game of merry-go-round setting up among the league’s tackles next month..

Report: No franchise tag for Jermon Bushrod | ProFootballTalk

|Mitch|

I'm not really worried about losing Bushrod. We seem to be able to always field a decent O-Line, no matter the players...

Danno

here are some of our most recent attempts

Matt Tennant - Gone
Andrew Tiller - Gone
Andy Alleman - Gone
de la Puente - Pleaseant surprise, but now a free-agent
Marcell Jones - Jury still out, not impressed yet
Charlie Brown - Gotta say not so hot so far for an early 2nd rounder
Carl Nicks- Stud, but now gone
Aaron Kromer - Gone

Boutte

We're doomed!

Danno

I wouldn't say doomed, but we aren't as good at it as we think we are.

FinSaint

I'm glad if they don't end up putting the tag on Bushrod, because he is not worth that amount of money - nothing against the guy, but that is the reality of the situation.

saintfan

The thing with Bushrod is that he's good. Just good. He did "okay" against average competition, but he was oft to struggle against better-than-average competition. We just can't afford to pay him elite money. We have to let someone else make that mistake.

Danno

So true Saintfan.Its time we stopped. We grossly over-paid Will Smith, Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister, Roman Harper, and Jon Vilma just to name a few.

Let someone else pay elite money to "okay" players.

Seer1

I think Kromer being gone could be our largest problem. He knew how to get a decent performance out of the line regardless of who he had.

FinSaint

True, that has been a concern of mine ever since it was announced that he signed with the Bears.

It has been widely thought of that Kromer has been the guy who has been able to get the most out of guys like Goodwin, Evans, Nicks, and Bushrod, but we haven't really had a chance to test that theory until now.

Maybe the O-line will be fine without Kromer, but I'm concerned about it as are you until I see some proof of the opposite.