Today is the deadline for NFL team's to designate one of their soon-to-be free agents with the franchise (or transition) tag. So far, six teams have done so.
Arizona Cardinals: Chandler Jones, OLB
Carolina Panthers: Kawann Short, DT
Pittsburgh Steelers: Le'Veon Bell, RB
New York Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, DE
Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins, QB
The other 26 teams have until 4pm ET to tag a player.
Bell and Cousins were tagged with the Exclusive Franchise Tag. No other teams can negotiate with them. Teams can negotiate with the other four players but they have to cough up two first round draft picks if they sign them. A steep price.
Bell is the first running back to be saddled with the franchise tag since 2012. Ray Rice and Matt Forte were tagged that year.
Half of this year's tags, so far, eliminated the top pass rushers from the free agency market. Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Melvin Ingram were by far the best pass rushers approaching free agency. Nick Perry, Jabaal Sheard, and Lorenzo Alexander could benefit greatly from their absence. Every team needs pass rushers.
In other tagging news, Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Clinic tagged a harbor seal with the name of Trey. After New England Patriots defensive Trey Flowers registered 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LI.
Update: Add Los Angeles Rams corner Trumaine Johnson to the tagged list. As with Cousins this is Johnson's second consecutive go-around with the franchise tag.
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