The NFL free agency list is now set in stone after the franchise tag deadline passed on Tuesday evening, meaning those who remained unsigned will officially become free agents on March 15.
Teams will remain eligible to speak to their own free agents, but are not permitted to speak to any other upcoming free agents from another team until the 'legal tampering' period begins on Monday (March 13).
The franchise tag can only be given to one player per team each year, which means that an out-of-contract player must remain on the roster for another season, unless traded by the team.
It also gives both the franchise and the player four months to agree a new contract. If no extension is signed, the player must play on the one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the current year.
For some, it will mean their best paydays of their career to date, while many players are unhappy to be tagged by the team, believing it to show a lack of faith from the team after not giving the player a long-term contract extension.
Many players have held out after being franchise-tagged, meaning that they did not show up to practice in a demonstration of their need to be paid a long-term deal before committing to the team. In recent years, Davante Adams, Dez Bryant and Le'Veon Bell are just three names who refused to play on the tag, with the first two being extended while Bell left as a free agent.
A number of big names have been franchise-tagged this year, but some have remained unsigned. Here, Mirror NFL have tracked all those who were being linked with the tag, and whether they were signed or are set to hit the open market.
Signed franchise-tag
Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders)
The running back had his best season in 2022, leading the league in rushing yards and had been deserving of a big contract. Jacobs proved to be a key part of Josh McDaniels' offense last season, even when playing behind a below average offensive line, and to get him for just $10 million is a steal for the team.
However, the running back will not be happy about not being given a long-term deal.
Jacobs was asked about how he'd feel if the Raiders decided to tag him at the end of last season, and his response said it all. "Ooh, hero turned villain," Jacobs said when asked what his response would be. "Hero turned villain, man."
Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys)
The Cowboys have done their running back a solid by franchise-tagging him, with his market not being as high as it should be after breaking his ankle in the playoffs.
Pollard had an incredible season, ousting Ezekiel Elliott as the starter and averaging a league best 5.94 yards per touch. If Elliott is to be released, Pollard will be given a bigger role, which he deserves.
Evan Engram (Jacksonville Jaguars)
The tight end had openly spoken about wanting to be franchise-tagged, and he gets his wish after his best season in the league since being drafted as a first-round pick.
Engram is likely to be given a long-term extension with the team after building a rapport with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, being seen as one of the best receiving tight ends in the league.
Daron Payne (Washington Commanders)
One of the better pass-rushing interior players in the league, Daron Payne has proven to be more than just a run-stuffer in the NFL, partnering with former Alabama defensive Jonathan Allen to form one of the better duo's in the league.
Interestingly, the Commanders will now be paying big money to Payne and Allen, and may have to move on from former number two overall pick, Chase Young. Something to monitor in the coming weeks.
Saquon Barkley (New York Giants)
It was always going to be Daniel Jones or Saquon Barkley that were franchise tagged, and the latter has been picked by the New York Giants. Both went down to the wire, but the Giants offered a new deal to Jones which allowed them to place the tag on Barkley instead.
Conversations will continue over a new deal for Barkley, with the running-back and Jones set to take up a sizeable portion of their cap hit for 2023 if all goes to plan. Barkley will be with the Giants for the 2023 season.
Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) : non-exclusive*
The Ravens and Jackson have been in negotiations for the better part of 18 months with the quarterback rejecting a a five-year £208.5million ($250m) deal with the Ravens last season. Jackson is wanting to be paid to similarly to how Deshaun Watson had been when he was signed by the Cleveland Browns last year, as he was given £189m guaranteed.
The Ravens have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, meaning that the quarterback is permitted to sign an offer sheet with another team, and then the Ravens can either match their offer and either keep him or opt for a trade. They now have just a matter of days to get that done before he is able to sign elsewhere.
Unsigned
Orlando Brown Jr (Kansas City Chiefs)
The Chiefs gave up a first-round pick to bring in Brown in 2021 and are now taking a huge risk in letting him test the free agency market.
While he hasn't been elite, he has certainly been better than league average, and knows the system and has the trust of Patrick Mahomes. Teams are always looking for upgrades at left tackle - expect Brown to have a huge market.
Signed long-term deal
Daniel Jones (New York Giants)
The Giants were able to beat the deadline buzzer and sign Daniel Jones to a brand new four-year deal. Jones was reportedly asking for as much as $45 million per year, a price that many would argue is too much for a quarterback who had struggled through his first three years as a starter.
But the Giants agreed to a four-year $160 million contract with $35 million in incentives with Jones, meaning the quarterback has more or less been given his wish. Jones did have his best career haul in 2022, and the Giants clearly have faith in the 25-year-old.
Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks)
The Seattle Seahawks have found their answer at quarterback... for now. The team gave Geno Smith an extension which was first reported as a three-year, $105 million deal. However, it has now emerged that the deal is actually $75 million with $40 million guaranteed, while the majority of that will come in his first year.
This means that while the Seahawks will start Geno Smith this upcoming season, they are likely to draft a quarterback in this years draft, and could maybe move on from Smith this time next year.
