With the start of NFL free agency just over a week away, teams have started to position themselves for what’s shaping up to be an active offseason. That includes doling out franchise tags, which will remove some of the most notable players from the open market.
The Browns kicked off a fairly quiet tagging period thus far, using the designation on tight end David Njoku on Monday. However, once the deadline started to close in, teams started to get more active.
NFL teams have until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET to use their franchise tags on prospective free agents, but will have until July 15 to ink long-term deal with players that have received the tag. Stay up to date with the latest franchise-tag news below:
The Jaguars have placed the franchise tag on offensive lineman Cam Robinson (Team announcement). Jacksonville’s starting left tackle is poised to play on the tag for the second straight season.
The Packers are expected to use their franchise tag on All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network). The decision comes after Green Bay reportedly agreed to a massive extension with quarterback Aaron Rodgers that will clear up enough cap space for the team to place the tag on the 29-year-old star pass-catcher.
The Buccaneers will reportedly tag wide receiver Chris Godwin if the two sides can not work out a long-term deal by Tuesday’s deadline (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network). The 2019 second-team All-Pro could receive the franchise tag for the second season in a row, even though he and Tampa Bay were working on a long-term deal as recently as Tuesday morning, according to ESPN’s Diana Russini.
The Cowboys plan to use the franchise tag on tight end Dalton Schultz (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network). Dallas will get to keep the former fourth-round pick on the roster through at least 2022, giving Dak Prescott another pass-catching option next season.
The Dolphins have reportedly used their franchise tag on tight end Mike Gesicki (Adam Schefter, ESPN). The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the most reliable pass-catching tight ends in the league in recent years.
The Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (Team announcement). Kansas City is reportedly “pretty confident” that it will be able to sign the three-time Pro Bowl to a long-term deal this offseason, per NFL Network’s James Palmer.
The Bengals utilized their franchise tag on safety Jessie Bates III (Team announcement). The 2020 second-team All-Pro was a key contributor to Cincinnati’s run to the Super Bowl last season.
Cleveland officially used the franchise tag on tight end David Njoku (Team announcement). The former first-round pick would make $10.931 million on the tag in his sixth year in Cleveland.
The Patriots will reportedly not use their franchise tag on cornerback J.C. Jackson (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network). The 2021 Pro Bowler is expected to hit free agency next week.
