NFL Franchise Tags

NFL teams have a two-week window to saddle one of their players with the franchise tag. Some might think that being a team’s “franchise player” would be a fine thing. In this case it isn’t. In this case it’s a tool for teams to restrict player movement. Sure, the tagged player gets a terrific, guaranteed salary but it’s a one-year deal. It’s a one-year deal with no large, up-front signing bonus. A one-year deal provides no long-term security for the player or the team. More significantly, the tag keeps the player off the open market where he can really see the rewards for his work on the field. Personally, I’ve always viewed the franchise tag as a sad substitute for not getting a long-term deal done. If a player wants to be with a team and team wants the player, get a long-term deal done. Get it done! It sounds so simple. It rarely is. 

NFL teams do not need a two-week window to apply the franchise tag. Teams can make that decision in a day. Anyway, the two-week window closes tomorrow. Last year, ten teams slapped one of their players with the franchise tag. So far this year, one team has slapped a player with the franchise tag. The Kansas City Chiefs have yet to get a long-term deal done with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. As a result, the Chiefs tagged Brown this morning. It’s no surprise that only one player has been tagged as most teams wait until the final day. There’s another reason for a single day window. 

So, who might join Orlando Brown Jr in this year’s franchise tag club? The following are the leading contenders.

Jessie Bates, S, Cincinnati Bengals

Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Harold Landry III, Edge, Tennessee Titans

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys

Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins

David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns

It’s going to be a frantic, exciting 24+ hours as the franchise-tagging window closes. 

As for the Minnesota Vikings, there will be no tagging for two reasons. There are no soon-to-be free agents that warrant a franchise tag. The Vikings couldn’t afford the franchise tag even if a player warranted one.