Rumor has it the New York Jets are unwilling to chance losing linebacker David Harris this offseason. Although league labor negotiations haven’t yet been hashed out, the Jets (according to ESPN) will place the franchise tag on Harris if it’s allowed per labor agreement, ensuring he stays with the team through the 2011-12 NFL season.

The Jets have a whopping 17 players on their roster that will see free agency this offseason, including big names like Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and Braylon Edwards, but GM Mike Tannenbaum has made it clear that Harris is their No. 1 concern this offseason.

David Harris is the Jets’ MVP for the season, ending his 2010-11 year in the NFL with 99 tackles and three sacks. If the franchise tag goes through, Harris will make around $9.6 million – last year’s franchise tag number for linebackers – over the course of the season. Of course, the Jets would like to keep him around for the long term, and this is just a start. Still, it’s a good sign for Jets fans that more is soon to come regarding keeping linebacker David Harris locked down on the roster.

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