The confetti has barely been cleared from the Allegiant Stadium field, but NFL teams are already facing the first key decisions of their 2024 season planning.
As of Tuesday, NFL sides are able to place the franchise tag on players whose contracts are set to expire, marking the start of a two-week period in which teams are able to tag players.
What is the franchise tag?
The franchise tag is a designation that a team can use to retain a player who is due to become an unrestricted free agent on a guaranteed, pre-set, non-negotiated salary on a one-year deal.
Each team can use the franchise tag once per offseason and once it has been awarded, the team and player have until mid-July to negotiate a multi-year deal. Should both sides be unable to reach an agreement, then the player will play on a one-year deal.
Who are the leading contenders to be tagged?
While not every team will use their franchise tag, there are a number of big-name players set for free agency which starts on March 13, that franchises will look to tag in order to give them breathing space when it comes to negotiating a new deal.
The Baltimore Ravens are lacking cap space, so expect them to tag defensive tackle Justin Madubuike after his strong season during which he helped the Ravens make the AFC Championship game.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Brian Burns is another candidate for the tag, as another defensive disrupter in the shape of Jacksonville Jaguars key man Josh Allen. The Chicago Bears could opt to tag Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, while the Houston Texans could place the tag on defensive end Jonathan Greenard.
The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have two key defensive free agents in L’Jarius Sneed and Chris Jones, so could look to tag one while they work on the other’s deal ahead of free agency.
On the other side of the ball, there are a number of wide receiver candidates for the tag.
The Cincinnati Bengals will do what they can to keep Tee Higgins, who is one of Joe Burrow’s favourite targets, so that could mean a tag is placed there. Michael Pittman Jr of the Indianapolis Colts is another wideout touted for the franchise tag, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could look to tag Mike Evans after he had another excellent season.
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