GREELEY, Colo., July 25 (UPI) -- Three-time Pro Bowl kicker Jason Elam, designated a franchise player by the Denver Broncos, signed his one-year tender Thursday for $1.465 million.
Teams can sign franchise players to one-year qualifying offers after July 15, then negotiate an extension for a long-term contract. By signing Elam to the one-year tender, the Broncos retain the use of their franchise label on another free agent next season.
Elam, 32, has spent his entire nine-year career with Denver and is the team's all-time leading scorer. He has converted 79 percent of his field goals and made all but one of 369 extra point attempts. Elam converted 31 of 36 field goals last season.
Elam probably is seeking a deal commensurate with the three-year, $5.375 million contract Adam Vinatieri signed with the New England Patriots in the offseason.
The agreement by Elam leaves Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez and Seattle Seahawks tackle Walter Jones as the only unsigned "franchise players."
