“The Indianapolis Colts still want middle linebacker Gary Brackett on their roster,” The Associated Press writes Wednesday, adding, “Just not as their franchise player. After Wednesday’s NFL Competition Committee meeting at the league’s annual scouting combine, Colts president Bill Polian told The Associated Press it was unlikely the Colts would use the franchise tag to keep Brackett around next season though Polian remains hopeful something can be worked out before Brackett becomes an unrestricted free agent March 5.” The AP quotes Polian saying, “We still have about 24 hours to decide what we want to do and we continue to talk,” Polian said. “I can’t tell you what we’ll do one way or the other. But as far as the franchise tag, I would think that we would not use that.”  The deadline for a team to use the franchise or transition tag on a player is Thursday.

IFR Analysis: This is news, though not of a surprising nature. The Colts like Brackett, but if they utilize the franchise label in his case it will cost them $9.7 million next season while the transition tag will cost them about $8.4 million. As Brackett’s agent, Brian Mackler, told the AP in an email, March 5 — the start of the new league year and free agency — is the important date in these negotiations. The thought here is still that the sides will come to an agreement. The Colts want to keep him at a reasonable price and Brackett wants to remain with the team. Considering the Colts typically get deals done once they decide they like a player enough to negotiate — and considering Polian has said the team wants to retain Brackett — some how, some way, it’s hard to imagine the sides not getting something done.