NFL Franchise Tag Deadline Has Passed: Who Got Tagged?
The NFL franchise tag deadline has come and gone, and teams have run out of time to retain players and prevent them from hitting the open market.[0] Each team had the opportunity to designate one player with the franchise or transition tag, guaranteeing them a premium salary for their position and more time to work out a potential long-term deal with the player.[1] Those players have until July 17 to work out a long-term extension with the team, or they can sign the tag and play the 2023 season under that salary.[1]
Six players were tagged, all receiving the non-exclusive franchise version: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne.[2] All are free to negotiate offers with other clubs and could be signed away at the cost of two first-round draft picks if their current team declines to match contractual terms.[2]
The Giants were able to reach a long-term deal with Daniel Jones, allowing them to place the franchise tag on Barkley for the 2023 season.[3] Not only will the Giants have until July 17 to reach a long-term deal with Barkley, but they will owe him $10.091 million this season if a deal can't be reached (assuming Barkley signs the tag).[1] During the Pro Bowl season, Barkley achieved a career best of 1,312 rushing yards.[1]
Running backs Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard will get nice bumps to their paychecks at a position where players are so often left holding the bag after completing their rookie contract.[2] Barkley appears to have a strong possibility of securing a contract for multiple years before having to make a decision on whether to accept his $10.1 million franchise tag.[2]
The Giants were able to use the franchise tag on Barkley to keep him from hitting free agency.[1] Running backs are tagged with a one-year contract worth $10.09 million.[4] The two parties can continue to discuss and reach an agreement for the long-term.[4]
Other tags included quarterback Geno Smith, who re-signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $105 million deal; defensive end Frank Clark, who was tagged by the Chicago Bears; and linebackers Eric Kendricks and Bobby Wagner, who were tagged by the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, respectively.[5]
0. “NFL franchise tag tracker: Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley among 6 total players tagged” Yahoo Sports, 7 Mar. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-franchise-tag-tracker-lamar-jackson-receives-non-exclusive-tag-from-ravens-201452906.html
1. “2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard among players who received tags ahead of free agency” CBS Sports, 6 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-franchise-tag-tracker-josh-jacobs-tony-pollard-among-players-who-received-tags-ahead-of-free-agency
2. “NFL franchise tag winners, losers: Which players, teams made out best at deadline?” Yahoo Sports, 6 Mar. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-franchise-tag-winners-losers-231148839.html
3. “Around SB Nation: What Other NFL Blogs Are Discussing” The Phinsider, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.thephinsider.com/2023/3/8/23627026/around-sb-nation-what-other-nfl-blogs-are-discussing-derek-carr-aaron-rodgers-lamar-jackson
4. “The Top 100 NFL Free Agents of 2023” The Ringer, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/3/2/23621630/top-100-nfl-free-agents-2023-lamar-jackson-derek-carr-saquon-barkley-daniel-jones-jimmy-garoppolo
5. “2023 NFL Free Agency Tracker” Establish The Run, 7 Mar. 2023, https://establishtherun.com/2023-nfl-free-agency-tracker/
