An important milestone in the 2023 NFL offseason came and went Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET: the deadline for teams to use the franchise tag.
NFL teams are able to use the tag, a fully guaranteed one-year deal, on one impending free agent each season. There are two types of franchise tags: a non-exclusive tag, which allows the player in question to negotiate with other teams after getting tagged, and the exclusive tag, which prevents the player from negotiating with other teams.
The exclusive tag comes with a one-year salary at least equal to the top five salaries across the league at that position or 120% of the player’s previous salary, whichever figure is higher. Meantime, the non-exclusive tag comes with a one-year salary at least equal to the top five salary-cap figures across the league at that position or 120% of the player’s previous salary, whichever figure is higher.
Players who receive the franchise tag remain eligible to agree to long-term deals before training camp.
Lamar Jackson highlighted this year’s list of six players who received either the exclusive or non-exclusive franchise tag before Tuesday’s deadline. Here’s a comprehensive list:
Lamar Jackson, Ravens, QB
Jackson’s future in Baltimore has been one of the biggest stories of the NFL offseason, and he was expected to get tagged if he and the team couldn’t reach a contract agreement before Tuesday’s deadline, as reported by NFL Network. The bigger question was which version of the tag the team would use. As it turns out, multiple reports indicate that the team placed the non-exclusive tag on the quarterback.
Jackson will earn $32.416 million in 2023 if the two sides don’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal in the coming months. The former MVP also can negotiate and field offers from other teams. The Ravens have the right to match any offer by another team.
Tony Pollard, Cowboys, RB
Dallas placed its non-exclusive franchise tag on Pollard on Monday, signaling a desire to keep the rising star in a Cowboys uniform for at least another season. Pollard received his first Pro Bowl nomination last season after racking up 1,378 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns. He will earn a $10.091 million salary in 2023 on the tag.
Evan Engram, Jaguars, TE
The Jaguars used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Engram on Mondy, a move which will pay the former first-round pick $11.345 million unless the two sides negotiate a longer pact. In his first season with Jacksonville, the former Giants tight end enjoyed a breakout year, hauling in a career-best 73 receptions and 766 yards with four touchdowns.
Daron Payne, Commanders, DT
Washington tagged Payne back on Feb. 28, using the non-exclusive tag on the 25-year-old, which will pay him $18.937 million guaranteed next season. The 13th pick back in 2018, Payne broke through last season, making the Pro Bowl after racking up a career-high 11 1/2 sacks.
Josh Jacobs, Raiders, RB
The Raiders made their decision on Jacobs on Monday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, after the insider previously reported the team planned to use the tag if the two sides couldn’t reach a deal. Jacobs, who led the league in rushing yards (1,653) and yards from scrimmage (2,053) in 2022, will earn $10.091 million on the tag.
Saquon Barkley, Giants, RB
The Giants worked out a long-term deal with quarterback Daniel Jones just before the 4 p.m. deadline, allowing the organization to place the franchise tag on Barkley, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Similar to Pollard and Jacobs, Barkley will earn $10.091 million next season after a bounce-back year saw him amass 1,650 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns in 2022.
