CBS' Jason La Canfora fully expects the Raiders and unsigned franchise player to reach a long-term agreement before Monday's deadline. Per La Canfora, the sides made "major progress" late last week, and it's a matter of "when," not if, a deal is reached. CSN Bay Area reported Tuesday the sides were "inching along, even as it appears to be a stalemate."

CSN Bay Area confirms there has been "progress" in contract talks between the Raiders and franchise player SS Tyvon Branch this week. That progress appears to be modest, however. Beat writer Paul Gutierrez characterizes the discussions as "inching along, even as it appears to be a stalemate." Branch has already signed his $6.2 million tender for the 2012 season. Entering his first season in head coach Dennis Allen's scheme, Branch has until Monday's deadline to land a long-term deal.

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie says long-term talks with franchise player SS Tyvon Branch are "ongoing." The sides have until next Monday to come to an agreement. Per the Contra Costa Times, the Raiders are less than $1 million under the salary cap, so there could be an urgency to get a deal done and lower Branch's current $6.2 million cap number.

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie is guardedly optimistic about long-term contract talks with SS Tyvon Branch. Branch signed his one-year, $6.212 million franchise tender two months ago, so he was never going to play serious hardball, at least not about the 2012 season. "It's been good communication," McKenzie said of extension talks with Branch's agent. "Nobody's slamming the phone on each other so that's positive."

Raiders signed franchise player SS Tyvon Branch to a one-year, $6.22 million contract. According to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, Branch is still "very much seeking a long-term deal," so it's unclear if he'll report for the Raiders' mandatory June minicamp. The Raiders are still up against the salary cap, and would benefit from getting Branch signed to a long-term pact and lowering his 2012 cap number. The sides have until July 16 to reach a long-term agreement.

According to Steve Corkran of the Oakland Tribune, a Tyvon Branch extension is "in the works right now" with Raiders brass. It sounds like GM Reggie McKenzie has prioritized locking up Branch. Not only would extending him keep a good player under Oakland's control, it would free up salary cap space. Branch is currently sporting a one-year, $6.22 million franchise tag. Extending him could clear upwards of $5 million versus the cap.

According to Pro Football Weekly, the Raiders remain interested in working out a long-term deal with SS Tyvon Branch. The Raiders are set to pay Branch $6.2 million under the franchise tag and are looking for cap relief, likely in the form of a converted signing bonus. Oakland currently has less than $3.72 million in cap space for 2012. GM Reggie McKenzie has been aggressive in restructuring contracts and releasing veterans this offseason, and will continue to be aggressive in extending Branch, who has improved in each of his first four seasons.

NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora reports the Raiders have informed free agent SS Tyvon Branch that he will receive the franchise tag. Free agent RB Michael Bush's chances of returning to Oakland are in a free fall. The cap-strapped Raiders had made Branch one of the top offseason priorities after he finished last season as one of the primer in-the-box safeties in the NFL. At a cost of roughly $6 million, the franchise tag was a no-brainer. The move does it make it more likely, however, that FS Michael Huff will be set loose.

The Contra Costa Times' Steve Corkran believes the Raiders are unlikely to use the franchise tag on free agent SS Tyvon Branch. The Raiders reportedly have "zero interest" in franchising free agent Michael Bush, but Corkran believes Oakland only wants Branch back on a "modest," multi-year deal. With big money already committed to myriad players for 2012, the Raiders are likely looking to avoid using the franchise tag altogether.

Len Pasquarelli of the Sports XChange confirms that keeping free agent SS Tyvon Branch remains a "priority" for new Raiders management. Pasquarelli suggests Branch may even get the franchise tag, which would cost the Raiders a reasonable $6 million, if no long-term accord can be reached. The club's ideal scenario would be to extend Branch long term and place the tag on free agent Michael Bush. Per Pasquarelli, Branch "comes very highly recommended by people (Raiders GM Reggie) McKenzie trusts."