The 2-week NFL franchise tag window opens Tuesday and runs till 4 p.m. ET on March 4. Throughout that time-frame, every crew is allowed to tag one participant who’s scheduled to turn into an unrestricted free agent. Doing so would preserve the participant with the franchise for the 2025 season.
Franchise tag figures are primarily based on the highest 5 annual salaries at every place, and the value goes up every time a participant will get tagged. Groups should decide whether or not it is of their greatest curiosity to pay the franchise tag worth, lengthen the participant or presumably tag him and proceed negotiating a long-term deal.
Final 12 months, 9 gamers had been tagged, together with two who then had been traded. The Carolina Panthers despatched move rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants only a week after tagging him, and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs despatched cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans earlier than March was out.
Here’s a have a look at every NFL crew and which gamers are franchise tag candidates:
Soar to a crew:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Because the Payments have often signed gamers to extensions earlier than they enter free company, they have not had to make use of the franchise tag. The Payments have not used the franchise tag previously seven offseasons underneath common supervisor Brandon Beane. Whereas there are some massive selections for the Payments within the months forward relating to navigating the cap and the draft, whether or not to make use of the tag is not one in every of them. — Alaina Getzenberg
The one participant who could possibly be even remotely thought-about is security Jevon Holland — however paying almost $20 million after he didn’t document an interception in 2024 appears unreasonable. This is not to say Holland is not an excellent participant; the Dolphins ought to both work out a long-term settlement or permit him to check free company. Miami did not use the tag on any of its premier free brokers final offseason, and it’s unlikely it would break that sample this offseason. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
This is not even a slight consideration for the Patriots, whose free agent class is among the many lightest within the NFL — headlined by cornerback Jonathan Jones, defensive lineman Deatrich Smart Jr. and quarterback Jacoby Brissett. All have been productive within the NFL and will assist the crew win, however they don’t seem to be on the caliber through which a tag could be a part of any negotiation to retain them. — Mike Reiss
Seven starters are poised to turn into unrestricted free brokers, none of whom is taken into account tag-worthy. The Jets have a brand new regime, and so they’re seeking to make modifications, not retain older gamers from the earlier administration. Cornerback D.J. Reed, 28, figures to draw important curiosity on the open market, as he ranked 14th out of 77 corners in EPA/goal (minimal: 250 protection snaps), per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. The tag quantity for a nook is anticipated to exceed $20 million, too wealthy for the Jets. Reed is anticipated to check the market. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
The Ravens have used the franchise tag for the previous two seasons, inserting it on quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2023 and defensive deal with Nnamdi Madubuike final 12 months. However Baltimore does not have a candidate for the tag this offseason, and it does not have the wage cap room even when there have been one. The Ravens’ prime free agent is offensive deal with Ronnie Stanley, and the tag for offensive linemen is over $25 million. Baltimore is projected to rank among the many backside 10 groups by way of cap area. — Jamison Hensley
Might extensive receiver Tee Higgins be tagged once more? After enjoying on the tag in 2024, he’s eyeing a long-term deal. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been adamant about not letting nice gamers akin to Higgins depart the constructing. Tagging Higgins for a second straight 12 months would give the Bengals that chance, together with permitting additional time to barter a brand new deal. It may be a chip to commerce to a different crew. Higgins has battled accidents lately, however the offense has thrived when he has lined up alongside Ja’Marr Chase. — Ben Child
Probably the most notable of the Browns’ pending free brokers, who embrace operating again Nick Chubb, extensive receiver Elijah Moore and left deal with Jedrick Wills Jr., could possibly be introduced again on cheap offers. And with Cleveland already projected to be about $60 million over the 2025 cap, the crew is not positioned to tackle a large one-year cap hit by way of the franchise tag. — Daniel Oyefusi
The Steelers have a handful of serious free brokers, however utilizing the franchise tag on one could be value prohibitive. The crew declined Najee Harris’ fifth-year possibility a 12 months in the past, so it is unlikely they’d be keen to spend massive on him with a franchise tag. And neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields is well worth the steep worth that comes with utilizing a franchise tag on a quarterback. The Steelers might, although, discover utilizing a transition tag on Fields or Wilson that may give them the power to match one other crew’s provide. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
The one Texans impression starter hitting free company is wideout Stefon Diggs, however he is coming off a torn ACL and will probably be 32 in November. The franchise tag for wideouts will probably be nearly $26 million, which is the next yearly wage than what Texans No. 1 receiver Nico Collins makes at $24,250,000. The Texans even have restricted cap area however do not need to dump that a lot into an ageing participant. — DJ Bien-Aime
The Colts did the heavy lifting on their in-house free brokers final offseason, with Indianapolis re-signing extensive receiver Michael Pittman Jr., cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive deal with DeForest Buckner and linebacker Zaire Franklin. This 12 months’s class will not require almost the identical type of funding. Their most intriguing free agent is defensive finish Dayo Odeyingbo, who led the crew with 33 pressures and has a mixed 16 sacks previously three seasons. However it’s extremely unlikely a crew that is already closely invested in its defensive position would commit greater than $20 million to Odeyingbo for 2025. — Stephen Holder
The Jaguars took care of their big-money gamers final offseason once they signed quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive finish Josh Hines-Allen and cornerback Tyson Campbell to contract extensions. There are solely two starters — proper guard Brandon Scherff and security Andre Cisco — whose contracts expire in March, and neither is worthy of the franchise tag. Scherff is 33 and is not the identical stage of participant he was earlier in his profession. Cisco had points with blown coverages for a protection that gave up 23 move performs of 30 or extra yards — simply three shy of league chief New Orleans. — Michael DiRocco
The Titans haven’t any franchise-altering gamers on this 12 months’s free agent class. Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will draw some curiosity after ending with eight landing receptions final season. Tennessee could be sensible to carry him again. Different free brokers the Titans ought to take into account bringing again on lower-cost offers embrace proper guard Dillon Radunz and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day. However none of them is the caliber of participant that may warrant franchise tag consideration. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
The listing of starters from 2024 who’re scheduled to be unrestricted free brokers in March contains defensive deal with D.J. Jones, linebacker Cody Barton, operating again Javonte Williams and each backup quarterbacks — Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. However with All-Professional exterior linebacker Nik Bonitto nonetheless a season away from potential free company, none of this 12 months’s group will warrant the tag for the Broncos. A 12 months from now, if Bonitto does not have a brand new deal in hand, it could possibly be a unique story. — Jeff Legwold
The Chiefs have a prolonged listing of free brokers they would favor to retain, however a scarcity of cap area makes it unlikely they’d place the franchise tag on any of them. The Chiefs do not relish the concept of shedding guard Trey Smith, however placing a franchise tag on him at a projected value of $25 million would wipe out their plans to re-sign others. The Chiefs have a lot already invested in offensive linemen Creed Humphrey, Jawaan Taylor and Joe Thuney, one more reason tagging Smith does not make a number of sense. — Adam Teicher
The Raiders have used the franchise tag on solely six gamers in membership historical past, most lately Josh Jacobs in 2023. Security Tre’von Moehrig is among the many few free brokers the Raiders might attempt to retain. Moehrig is anticipated to generate curiosity in free company after posting profession highs in tackles (104), passes defensed (10) and quarterback hits (three). Nonetheless, the franchise tag for safeties is near $20 million, greater than Moehrig’s projected market worth. — Ryan McFadden
Exterior linebacker Khalil Mack could be a candidate, however as a part of his contract restructure final season, he can’t be franchise-tagged. Exterior of Mack, no Charger free brokers are worthy of the franchise tag value. L.A. hasn’t used the franchise tag since 2020, when it tagged tight finish Hunter Henry. That streak most likely will proceed this offseason because the Chargers look to retain their prime free brokers with a projected $63 million in wage cap area. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
Defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa is the one candidate the Cowboys would take into account, however at a projected value of greater than $23 million in opposition to the cap, that is simply too expensive. That doesn’t imply the Cowboys will not make a bid to re-sign him earlier than free company begins. With new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the underneath deal with, Odighizuwa’s place, is significant. He posted profession highs in sacks (4.5) and pressures (54) final season and is the kind of participant the Cowboys need to construct with: a third-round draft decide who was a direct starter, is an over-the-top employee and is superb within the locker room. — Todd Archer
The Giants’ prime free agent this offseason is Darius Slayton. The franchise tag for a large receiver will probably be nicely over $20 million. Slayton does not fall into that class. He is a lot nearer to the Darnell Mooney vary ($13 million per season final 12 months in free company) than elite extensive receiver cash. Slayton is an effective, stable participant who might thrive in a extra profitable offense. However he is not a No. 1 receiver who would command the franchise tag. The Giants already let him take a look at the market and introduced him again on a two-year, $12 million deal after the 2022 season. — Jordan Raanan
The final Eagles participant to obtain the franchise tag designation was extensive receiver DeSean Jackson in 2012. It hasn’t been a part of their team-building mannequin, and with six gamers set to depend $12 million or extra in opposition to the cap in 2025, it is possible not a observe they will undertake now. Philadelphia does have a number of key defensive gamers set to turn into free brokers, together with linebacker Zack Baun and defensive linemen Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, all of whom are in line for large paydays this offseason. The Eagles will not be capable to preserve all of them. They will attempt to offset any personnel losses by persevering with their excessive hit price within the draft and free company. — Tim McManus
None of their free brokers will probably be that costly to re-sign. They’ve some big-name free brokers, notably linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight finish Zach Ertz, who’re coming off sturdy seasons. However Wagner made $6.5 million and Ertz $2.4 million in 2024, and given their ages — each will flip 35 this 12 months — they will not be overly costly to maintain. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
The Bears used the franchise tag in 2024 as a placeholder on cornerback Jaylon Johnson to execute a long-term deal simply two days later. Chicago’s prime two pending free brokers — receiver Keenan Allen and guard Teven Jenkins — would not qualify for the tag for quite a lot of causes. Allen will probably be 33 this season, and Jenkins missed 23 video games over 4 seasons due to harm. It is extra possible the Bears let each gamers stroll and discover their replacements in free company or the draft. — Courtney Cronin
Detroit hasn’t used the franchise tag since making use of it to defensive finish Ezekiel Ansah in 2018 after he registered 12 sacks in the course of the 2017 season. Their precedence free brokers this offseason are veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, cornerback Carlton Davis III and defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike. However primarily based on common supervisor Brad Holmes’ observe document, it does not appear to be he would train that possibility on anybody from this 12 months’s group. He most likely will permit them to check the waters earlier than making an attempt to succeed in a brand new deal, as he has prioritized creating younger expertise. — Eric Woodyard
The Packers have used the tag simply as soon as previously 15 years. It was on receiver Davante Adams in 2022, and that resulted in Adams wanting out of Inexperienced Bay. The closest factor the Packers need to a must-sign free agent is kicker Brandon McManus. Subsequent is Josh Myers, however tag numbers are the identical for facilities, guards and tackles, and a worth of greater than $20 million is unprecedented for a middle. — Rob Demovsky
Utilizing the tag on quarterback Sam Darnold could be an costly manner of making certain his return whereas avoiding a longer-term dedication that may hinder J.J. McCarthy’s eventual ascension. It may be a technique to elicit further worth by the use of a commerce, however that may require a information that a number of groups could be keen to bid. Ultimately, the Vikings appear extra prone to let Darnold signal elsewhere and protect their tag for a participant akin to cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who had a career-high six interceptions in 2024 and is hitting his prime at age 27. If nothing else, it will give the Vikings time to signal Murphy to a longer-term deal whereas retaining him off the market. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
The Falcons’ highest-profile free brokers are edge rusher Matthew Judon, security Justin Simmons and heart Drew Dalman. Judon and Simmons had been late-summer acquisitions and former Professional Bowlers, however each are of their 30s and did not produce the way in which they’d beforehand. If the Falcons, who do not have a lot cap room, carry them again, they will be in search of a reduction. Dalman and his offensive linemates are close-knit, and so they have a powerful chemistry on the sector. The Falcons will not need to upset the apple cart, although Dalman can have suitors as the very best obtainable heart. However the franchise tag could be expensive. — Marc Raimondi
This can be a younger crew in rebuild mode. None of its 21 free brokers is so invaluable to the rebuild that Carolina would need to go this far to maintain him. — David Newton
With the Saints needing to shed wage cap area, utilizing the franchise tag would not make sense. They’ve used it sparingly lately, possible for that reason, with security Marcus Williams getting tagged at the price of $10 million in 2021. The one long-shot candidate could be cornerback Paulson Adebo, who’s coming off a femur harm, and with a number of different younger cornerbacks on the roster, that would not be the very best monetary transfer for the group. — Katherine Terrell
Whereas sources informed ESPN that the Bucs very a lot need receiver Chris Godwin again and can do what it takes to make this occur, it will not be by utilizing the franchise tag. They used the tag as a placeholder the final time Godwin was a free agent (in 2022), and so they used it on him in 2021, so this could be his third time being tagged — subsequently it must be a 144% elevate, and I am informed there’s “no likelihood” of that occuring. They will do what it takes to re-sign him as a free agent. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
The Cardinals haven’t any free brokers this offseason whom they should use the tag on. Arizona addressed its massive free brokers in the course of the season, extending security Budda Baker and operating again James Conner. The subsequent doable candidate for the tag could possibly be tight finish Trey McBride, who will probably be a free agent this coming season, but it surely’s possible he’ll get an extension earlier than coaching camp begins in July. — Josh Weinfuss
It is exhausting to see the Rams utilizing the franchise tag in 2025. Left deal with Alaric Jackson is a free agent, however with a projected $25.1 million value, looks like a impossible possibility for Los Angeles. The Rams have a number of questions to handle on their offensive line, and offensive deal with is a spot they may take into account within the draft. Los Angeles might additionally re-sign Jackson after he checks the free company market. — Sarah Barshop
The 49ers have loads of free brokers they need to preserve however none that they will afford to worth at what the price of the tag would require. From a contract perspective, the Niners’ focus must be on extensions for gamers akin to quarterback Brock Purdy and tight finish George Kittle reasonably than the exorbitant worth and drawn out negotiations that go along with the tag. Meaning cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and security Talanoa Hufanga most likely will take a look at the market and/or work on offers to remain in San Francisco. — Nick Wagoner
The Seahawks not often use the tag to start with, doing so solely twice since common supervisor John Schneider arrived in 2010, and it is not an possibility this 12 months. Ernest Jones IV is their prime free agent, however inside linebackers like Jones and pass-rushing exterior linebackers are all seen the identical for tag functions. With the latter driving up the value, Over The Cap initiatives the tag quantity for all linebackers to be north of $27 million, which is significantly greater than what Jones is in line to make on a per-year common. In addition to, Jones was assured at season’s finish that the 2 sides would attain a deal earlier than free company. — Brady Henderson
