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NFL Nation, ESPN
Earlier than NFL free company begins, groups are allowed to use franchise tags to gamers from Feb. 20 by means of Tuesday to provide them a way of what they should do earlier than the league 12 months begins March 13.
What’s the franchise tag? It’s a designation groups can apply to a participant scheduled to turn out to be an unrestricted free agent, and it binds the participant to the workforce for one season. Franchise tag figures are based mostly on the highest 5 salaries at every place. The NFL has instructed its 32 groups that the 2024 wage cap will probably be a document $255.4 million, up from $224.8 million final 12 months.
Final season, solely six gamers had been franchise-tagged. Amongst them was Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the 2023 NFL MVP. Here is a take a look at gamers who’ve been tagged, the explanations they had been and the tag determine:
The Patriots are assigning the transition tag on Dugger, a supply instructed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday.
Transition tag wage: $13.8 million
Profession highlights: Dugger has performed 61 regular-season video games (52 begins), and in 2022 turned the primary Patriots defender since 1970 to attain three touchdowns in a season.
Why he was tagged: The Patriots might have positioned the franchise tag on Dugger, however that might have been $17.1 million and made him the fourth-highest paid security within the NFL when it comes to common per 12 months. However they as a substitute selected the lower-priced transition tag — based mostly on the common of the highest 10 salaries on the place. In doing so, the Patriots can nonetheless match one other workforce’s supply to Dugger, however they might not obtain any compensation in the event that they elect to not match it. Dugger performed a team-high 98% of the defensive snaps final 12 months and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo known as him a core participant the Patriots needed to retain.
What he brings: Dugger is without doubt one of the hardest hitting defenders on the workforce, and in 2023, he was utilized additional away from the road of scrimmage to assist fill the void created by the retirement of longtime security/centerfielder Devin McCourty — which is versatility the teaching workers values. — Mike Reiss
Tagging Winfield will function a placeholder, guaranteeing he’ll be in Tampa for the following 12 months whereas they attempt to work out a deal.
Franchise tag wage: $17.1 Million
Profession highlights: Regardless of no formal rookie offseason program due to COVID-19, Winfield performed an integral half within the Bucs’ Tremendous Bowl LV win as a rookie. He was named a Professional Bowler in 2021 and a First-Workforce All-Professional in 2023. He additionally tied for the league lead in pressured fumbles (six) and fumble recoveries (4) in 2023.
Why he was tagged: The Bucs see Winfield as one of many cornerstone items of their protection, and presumably their greatest participant. Coach Todd Bowles mentioned Winfield’s 2023 season was “the most effective seasons I’ve seen a security have.” The purpose is a long-term deal that may possible reset the protection market, and either side are working in direction of making that occur. However for now, this may function a placeholder, guaranteeing he’ll be in Tampa for the following 12 months.
What he brings: Winfield brings a ton of versatility. He can line up at robust security, free security and nickelback. He can blitz off the sting, he can cowl, he can cease the run and he is bought a knack for stripping the ball and recovering it. He additionally brings excellent apply habits, and in 2023, he stepped up much more as a vocal chief, which the teaching workers was extraordinarily complimentary of. — Jenna Laine
The Bears and Johnson have been going forwards and backwards for months over a contract extension and weren’t capable of conform to phrases forward of the franchise tag deadline. Common supervisor Ryan Poles spoke confidently on the mix of the supply that had been prolonged to Johnson, which he mentioned contained “robust” money flows and ensures and would permit the cornerback to hit free company once more in a number of years. Chicago’s purpose was to keep away from utilizing the franchise tag on Johnson, however this buys the workforce time to work out a long-term deal within the coming weeks or months earlier than the July 15 deadline.
Franchise tag wage: $19.8 million
Profession highlights: Johnson had his greatest season in a contract 12 months as he was named second-team All-Professional and earned Professional Bowl honors. He had a career-high 4 interceptions (together with a pick-six), 10 passes defended, one pressured fumble and 36 tackles in 2023 and allowed a complete of 195 yards and a 31.0 passer score when focused.
Why he was tagged: Johnson shouldn’t be solely one of the best cornerback on the Bears, he is one of many high at his place league-wide. In January, Poles foreshadowed that there was no means Johnson was hitting free company — “he is not going wherever” — whether or not the cornerback signed an extension with the Bears this offseason or opts to play on the franchise tag.
What he brings: When Johnson mentioned he appears like he deserves to be the very best paid cornerback within the league, he spoke with advantage. The Bears completed the 2023 season tied for probably the most interceptions (22), which is a credit score to the improved play of a secondary led by the previous second-round decide. Johnson is a cornerstone of the Bears protection and places Chicago in place to proceed the success it discovered at taking the ball away subsequent season. — Courtney Cronin
The Jaguars plan to put the tag on Allen as a placeholder to doubtlessly attain a deal this offseason, sources instructed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Franchise tag wage: $22.748 million
Profession highlights: Allen, whom the Jaguars chosen No. 7 general in 2019, is coming off his greatest season but — with a single-season franchise-record 17.5 sacks that ranked second within the NFL. Over the previous three seasons, Allen ranks sixth in pressures (228) and is tied for tenth in sacks (32). Allen’s profession 45 sacks are second on the Jaguars’ all-time checklist, trailing Tony Brackens by 10.
Why he was tagged: The Jaguars don’t desire Allen to hit free company as a result of they’re going to lose management of the place he’ll play. He is probably the most sought-after defensive gamers this cycle and would possible get an enormous contract supply that the Jaguars could not — or would not be keen to — match. Utilizing the tag ensures the Jaguars some further time to attempt to get a contract extension accomplished by the mid-July deadline.
What he brings: Along with being one of many league’s greatest move rushers, Allen is nice towards the run and is without doubt one of the workforce’s leaders within the locker room. He is without doubt one of the Jaguars’ few core drafted gamers and has acknowledged that he desires to stay in Jacksonville. There have not been many latest Jaguars first-round picks which have felt that means. — Michael DiRocco
The Ravens want to signal Madubuike to a long-term extension.
Franchise tag wage: $22.102 million
Profession highlights: Madubuike’s 13 sacks final season had been a profession excessive and ranked ninth. His streak of 11 straight video games with a minimum of a half-sack final season is tied for the longest in a single-season. He was named second-team All-Professional and was invited to his first Professional Bowl after shattering his profession highs with 56 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback hits.
Why he was tagged: The Ravens weren’t going to let their 26-year-old sacks chief from final season head elsewhere in free company. Baltimore has usually used the tag to purchase time to get a brand new deal accomplished. Six of the earlier eight gamers tagged by the Ravens have ultimately signed long-term contracts with the workforce, together with quarterback Lamar Jackson final 12 months. However this wasn’t a simple transfer for Baltimore. The Ravens have to create $10 million in wage cap house by March 13.
What he brings: A defensive anchor up entrance. The Ravens have All-Professional foundational items in the course of the protection with Roquan Smith and within the secondary with Kyle Hamilton. Madubuike is that very same sort of pressure on the defensive position. His 33 quarterback hits had been 14 greater than another Ravens participant. Baltimore hasn’t had this kind of move rush on the inside since Haloti Ngata, who’s the one different defensive deal with to get the franchise tag from the Ravens. — Jamison Hensley
The Panthers tagged Burns with the hope of signing him to a long-term contract.
Franchise tag wage: $24 million
Profession highlights: Burns has been a sack machine because the Panthers made him the No. 16 decide of the 2019 draft out of Florida State. He had 7.5 sacks as a rookie regardless of beginning solely 5 video games and a career-high 12.5 in 2022 — together with two sacks, a pressured fumble and a move deflection towards the Denver Broncos in Week 12 to earn NFC Defensive Participant of the Week. He was named to the Professional Bowl in 2021 and 2022.
Why he was tagged: The Panthers have been attempting for a 12 months to signal Burns to a long-term deal, however he’s asking for a mean of $30 million a 12 months, in line with a supply with information of the negotiations. Talks broke off in September, and regardless of his sacks dropping to eight this previous season, Burns nonetheless desires to be paid among the many high edge rushers. Carolina nonetheless desires to lock the 25-year-old down for the long run, and the tag provides them time to proceed negotiations.
What he brings: Past sacks, management. He has been a frontrunner within the locker room the previous three seasons, and the Panthers need him to be the muse of their 3-4 protection for years to return. They thought a lot of him in 2022 that then-GM Scott Fitterer turned down a commerce supply for Burns that might have of despatched Carolina two first-round picks from the Rams. New GM Dan Morgan mentioned he desires to construct Carolina round “dawgs,” and Burns exemplifies that. — David Newton
The Chiefs tagged Sneed with the thought of both signing him to a long-term contract or buying and selling him and receiving compensation from one other workforce.
Franchise tag wage: $19.802 million
Profession highlights: Sneed exceeded the Chiefs’ hopes for him after they drafted him within the fourth spherical in 2020. He was a part-time starter as a rookie however has been a full-time starter since. He shadowed the opponents’ high broad receiver for a lot of the 2023 season with glorious outcomes. He did not permit a landing move as the closest defender in protection within the common season. His signature play was a pressured fumble within the AFC Championship Recreation as Baltimore’s Zay Flowers was about to attain a landing.
Why he was tagged: The Chiefs weren’t comfy with the thought of Sneed leaving with out them getting something in return. That they had ready for his departure in latest seasons by drafting 4 cornerbacks two years in the past, together with 2023 All-Professional Trent McDuffie, and yet another final season. Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson, fourth- and seventh-round picks in 2022, respectively, have quite a lot of qualities the Chiefs like of their cornerbacks. Every has made performs for the Chiefs over the previous two seasons. Williams, specifically, might be prepared for a beginning job if Sneed leaves.
What he brings: Sneed is a whole participant and in some ways the right cornerback for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system. He’s versatile, as he is ready to play outdoors protection or within the slot. He’s additionally aggressive as a run defender and is a robust tackler. — Adam Teicher
The 2 sides had been unable to succeed in a long-term extension earlier than the beginning of final season, and the tag designation was at all times the possible end result for the 2024 season, per a supply accustomed to the state of affairs. Tagging Higgins permits Cincinnati to maintain the core nucleus of quarterback Joe Burrow, broad receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins collectively for a minimum of yet another season.
Franchise tag wage: $21.816 million
Profession highlights: Higgins led the Bengals in receiving in Tremendous Bowl LVI with 4 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He had back-to-back seasons of 74 receptions and greater than 1,000 receiving yards earlier than coping with accidents final 12 months and being held to 12 video games and 656 yards. Regardless of the accidents, he nonetheless completed second on the Bengals with 5 receiving touchdowns.
Why he was tagged: Higgins, a second-round decide in 2020, has been a pivotal a part of Cincinnati’s offensive overhaul. He arrived the identical 12 months as Burrow and has been one of many workforce’s go-to receiving choices.
What he brings: Higgins’ 6-foot-4 body and catch radius make him a passing possibility in nearly any state of affairs. However all through his time within the league, he has continued to develop as a route runner and has earned the belief of Burrow, coach Zac Taylor and the remainder of the workers. — Ben Child
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