Should the Chargers Consider Using the Franchise Tag?

Jan 5, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; San Diego Chargers inside linebacker

(56) celebrates after a sack during fourth quarter of the AFC wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The time for teams to use their franchise tags on upcoming free agents is coming. Should the Chargers use their franchise tag this season?

The biggest name that is becoming a free agent for the Chargers is Donald Butler. Should the Chargers consider using the tag on Butler to keep him in a Chargers uniform for one more season?

Butler is a key player to the defense and is one of the better players on the defensive roster. He is someone that the Chargers need to keep on the roster, but with the team strapped for cash, it doesn’t make sense for the team to use the tag on him. The team needs to figure out another way to keep him on the roster. They need to figure out a way to work a multi-year contract with the free agent that won’t destroy the team’s future.

The team needs to find a way to keep any talent that they have on the defensive side of the ball. Butler is one of the players that hits hard and makes plays. He needs to be part of this roster in the future. We can’t afford to lose talent.

No franchise tag, but find a way to get a multi-year deal done.

Would you consider using the tag on him?