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NFL free agency is less than a week away when several big-name players will hit the open market. However, nine top-end free agents won’t be available next week. Eight players received the non-exclusive franchise tag from their current team.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots used the transition tag on safety Kyle Dugger. He is only the sixth player in the past 15 years to receive the transition tag. Unlike the franchise tag, the transition tag doesn’t protect the Patriots from losing the star safety for nothing, meaning New England must match the deal or will lose Dugger without any compensation.
Let’s dive into the eight players who received the franchise tag this week.
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Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were the first team to use the franchise tag, keeping their star wide receiver from hitting the open market. Higgins had a disappointing 2023 season, totaling 42 receptions on 76 targets for 656 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. Yet, Cincinnati didn’t want to let the former Clemson star walk away for free. However, that doesn’t mean Higgins will be back with the Bengals next season.
Cincinnati has to give Ja'Marr Chase a massive extension this offseason. Unfortunately, that might mean the team doesn't have the cap space to sign Higgins to a blockbuster extension. The 2024 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented wide receivers. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Higgins gets traded leading up to the NFL Draft for a first-round pick.
The Bengals informed Tee Higgins that he will receive the Franchise Tag, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/SiaI9Annu9
— PFF (@PFF) February 24, 2024
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis never had any intention of letting Pittman test the open market. The former USC star is the team’s top weapon in the passing game, putting up over 900 receiving yards in three consecutive years despite a merry-go-round of quarterbacks. While the touchdown production hasn’t been ideal, the Colts lean on the running game when they get inside the red zone.
Pittman and the team want to work out a long-term deal. The star receiver loves playing in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, the Colts can’t afford to lose Anthony Richardson’s top weapon in the passing game. While it might take a few months to get a deal done, expect Pittman to remain a Colt for the foreseeable future.
Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
Last year, Madubuike was one of a few surprise breakout players. The veteran defensive lineman had only 8.5 career sacks heading into the 2023 season. Yet, Madubuike led the Ravens with 13 sacks last year, nearly tripling his previous career high of 5.5 in 2022. The former Texas A&M star played a massive role in Baltimore’s No. 1 ranked defense last season.
The Ravens are one of the best teams at handling free agency. Rarely do they overpay for a player, and they love to acquire compensatory picks for losing free agents. However, Baltimore was never going to let Madubuike out of the building. The team prioritizes keeping homegrown star talent, meaning Madubuike should remain in Baltimore on a long-term deal.
Ravens franchise tag DT Justin Madubuike. pic.twitter.com/qMtUlpwzoo
— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2024
Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
General manager Trent Baalke made a massive mistake not signing Allen to a long-term deal after the 2022 season. The superstar edge-rusher had back-to-back seasons with under eight sacks but flashed elite pass-rush ability in both years. Yet, the Jaguars let him play out the final year of his rookie contract, ultimately significantly costing the team.
Allen had 17.5 sacks in 2023, the second most in the NFL. By comparison, he had 27.5 sacks over his first four years in the league, never totaling more than 10.5 in a season. While the two sides are working toward a long-term deal, using the franchise tag had other implications. Calvin Ridley is free to hit the open market and might not return after only one season in Jacksonville.
Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
While the franchise tag was designed to help NFL teams keep homegrown superstar talent, it has also become a tool in the trade market. Burns is one of the more likely franchise-tagged players to get dealt this offseason. He wanted an extension after totaling a career-high 12.5 sacks in 2022. However, the Panthers never seriously attempted to sign him to a long-term contract.
More importantly, Carolina has broken off extension talks with Burns. The two sides are far apart on the money, making many believe a divorce is coming. That might be the best thing for the franchise, as the Panthers need to acquire draft capital. They don’t have a first-round pick because of the Bryce Young deal last offseason. Carolina must find a way to give Young an impact wide receiver this offseason, whether in the draft or free agency.
The #Panthers have placed the franchise tag on pass-rusher Brian Burns, per @Schultz_Report. An expected outcome. Question becomes if he's a tag-and-trade candidate now. pic.twitter.com/sP9dvrbGHD
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 5, 2024
L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs quickly announced they would use the franchise tag on the breakout star cornerback. While the two sides have talked about a long-term deal, Sneed has been permitted to seek a trade. Whether he returns to Kansas City or gets dealt over the next several weeks, the former Louisiana Tech star will get paid among the top cornerbacks in the NFL.
Kansas City has a history of tagging and trading players in the past. They used the franchise tag on Dee Ford a few years ago. Instead of losing the star edge-rusher in free agency, the Chiefs tagged and traded him to the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick. Sneed will likely have the same outcome this offseason.
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Bear fans must be concerned about Johnson’s future with the team. The two sides had contract extension talks during the regular season. Yet, the talks went nowhere. While Johnson and Chicago want to keep their relationship going, the team had to use the franchise tag to keep the star cornerback off the open market next week.
Thankfully, the Bears have plenty of salary-cap space this offseason, making it easy to absorb the $19.8 million franchise tag. While there is a chance Chicago trades away the former Utah star for draft picks, fans should expect the veteran cornerback to return in 2024. The only question is whether Johnson will have a long-term contract or must play out the year on the franchise tag.
Bears are placing their franchise tag on CB Jaylon Johnson, who the team still is working to re-sign to a long-term deal, per sources. Johnson’s franchise tag number is $19.8 million. pic.twitter.com/Z9Wtos065Q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2024
Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Most teams avoid using the franchise tag because they lack a free agent worthy of the high salary. However, the Buccaneers were the team everyone knew would use the franchise tag. Tampa Bay used the franchise tag on Winfield after signing Mike Evans to a two-year extension earlier this week.
While many thought the team would use the tag on Baker Mayfield, keeping the star safety around was the correct call. Winfield is coming off a career year, totaling 122 tackles, three interceptions, and six sacks. He also made his first All-Pro team after leading the NFL with six forced fumbles.
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