NFL Franchise Tag Deadline Recap: Who got tagged & who didn’t
Mar 8, 2023, 7:00 AM | Updated: 7:52 am
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 21: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants walks off the field after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 38-7 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Just like that, the NFL Franchise Tag deadline has come and passed for 2023.
The biggest news of the day was the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson, deciding to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on the former MVP of the NFL. That’s just the top of the iceberg however, with many deals & non-deals going down in the final hours of the window.
Here are a few of the biggest names to either get tagged, hit the market, or sign an extension so far in the 2023 NFL offseason.
Tagged:
RB Saquon Barkley – Giants
Tag: $10.091M
Right at the buzzer, the New York Giants used its’ franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. Set at $10.091 million guaranteed for one year, New York will still look to get a long-term deal done with the star ball-carrier over the offseason.
Making the Pro Bowl for the first time since his rookie year, Barkley finished 2022 with 1312 yards rushing, 10 TDs and 338 receiving yards as well.
QB Lamar Jackson – Ravens
Tag: $32.4 million (non-exclusive)
One of the biggest targets in 2023, Lamar Jackson has been placed on the non-exclusive tag by the Baltimore Ravens. That’s means that Jackson can negotiate with other franchises at the start of free agency, while Baltimore can match any offer sheet this spring. If the Ravens decline to match, the team will receive two first-round picks from Jackson’s new franchise.
Baltimore is still looking to come to an agreement with the star QB, just at a level that suits both sides fairly.
Only featuring in 12 games in 2022 due to injury, Jackson finished with 2242 passing yards, 17 TDs and 7 INTs. On the ground he registered 764 yards and three scores with his legs.
RB Josh Jacobs – Raiders
Tag: $10.091M
After not coming to a deal by the deadline, the Raiders have tagged running back Josh Jacobs. Both sides are expected to work towards a new deal, showing mutual interest in a return to Vegas.
Jacobs had a career year in 2022, making the All-Pro list for the first time. He finished with a league-best 1653 rushing yards and 12 TDs in 17 games played. He was also effective through the air, catching 53 passes for 400 yards receiving.
TE Evan Engram – Giants
Tag: $11.345M
Another tag rumored the last week, the Jaguars have placed the tag on tight end Evan Engram. Both sides will likely find an agreement prior to the start of the season, after a productive first year under Doug Pederson saw Jacksonville win a game in the postseason.
Featuring in all 17 regular-season contests, Engram recorded 766 receiving yards, 73 receptions and four TDs in 2022. He was selected 23rd overall by the New York Giants in the 2017 NFL draft.
RB Tony Pollard – Cowboys
Tag: $10.091M
Coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance, Tony Pollard has been tagged by the Dallas Cowboys.
Pollard showed out in 2022, running for 1007 yards and nine TDs. He was also proficient through the air, snagging 39 receptions for 371 yards and an additional three TDs. Only 25-years-old, Pollard could be seen as a long-term replacement for Ezekiel Elliot.
He’ll need to overcome a serious ankle injury suffered in the postseason, but many expect him to be ready for training camp.
DT Da’Ron Payne – Commanders
Tag: $18.937M
Arguable the best defensive lineman to hit the market this spring is now off the table after getting tagged.
Da’Ron Payne of the Washington Commanders had his best season of his career in 2022. Making his first Pro Bowl as well, Payne had 64 combined tackles, 11.5 sacks and 20 QB hits last season. Along with Jonathan Allen, Payne is a monster on the interior for Washington.
Expected to command a hefty fee in free agency, the Commanders won’t let one of its’ stars hit the open market this year.
Non-Tagged/Released:
Orlando Brown Jr. – Chiefs
A surprise to many because young franchise-caliber left tackles don’t come on the market often.
Orlando Brown has been one of those franchise tackles since getting traded to Kansas City in 2021. Making the Pro Bowl the last four years, Brown could command a very hefty sum this spring from teams in need of an LT.
He finished the 2022 NFL season as a Super Bowl champion, receiving a 75.8 PFF grade.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson – Eagles
Known as “CJ”, Gardner-Johnson only played one season in Philadelphia, hence the reluctance for a franchise tag.
A defensive back by trade, CJ played at safety for the Eagles, recording a season-high six INTs in 2022. He also had 67 combined tackles and eight passes defended.
Just recently turning 25, Gardner-Johnson could be in demand this spring, hoping for a deal north of $12 million annually.
Jonathan Jones – Patriots
A top cornerback in the NFL, Jonathan Jones will hit the free agent market next week after spending seven seasons in New England.
Despite an uneven 2022 season, Jones played well, registering 69 combined tackles in 16 games. Throw in four INTs and 11 passes defended and Jones had a stellar year in the league.
It’ll be interesting to see how there Patriots operate this spring, already having money tied up in other areas on the roster. If Jones was to leave the AFC East, he should expect a few suitors to come knocking on his door with a hefty sum of cash.
Frank Clark – Chiefs
Another big cut from the Super Bowl Champs in pass rusher Frank Clark.
Clark went on a tear towards the end of the 2022 postseason, showing in opposing backfields on virtually every drive. He also finishes his Chiefs’ career with the most sacks in postseason history (10.5). But with a massive cap hit in 2023, Kansas City cuts bait when they can, leaving one of its’ top guys on the market.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Clark finished the 2022 regular season with 39 combined tackles, 13 QB hits and 4.5 sacks. Entering age 30, Clark should still command a deal nearing $10 million annually this offseason.
Extended:
Daniel Jones – Giants
Contract: 4-years, $160 million
Right at the deadline, the New York Giants and QB Daniel Jones came to an agreement on a new deal.
Both sides agreed on a 4-year, $160 million extension to keep “Danny Dimes” in the Big Apple long-term. While the number may seem staggering, it’s not, expected to have a cap hit around $19 million in 2023. Jones will get virtually $92 million guaranteed at the signing, allowing the Giants to fit other deal into its’ salary cap.
After getting his fifth-year option declined, Jones balled out in 2022, finishing with a 9-6-1 record in the NFC East. His stats also backed it up: 3205 passing yards, 15 TDs and only five INTs. He was incredible on the ground as well, running for 708 yards and seven additional TDs.
Geno Smith – Seahawks
Contract: 3-years, $105 million
The Comeback Player of the Year, Geno Smith is staying in Seattle for a little while longer.
Inking a 3-year, $105 million deal, Smith has been rewarded for a stellar 2022 season. Originally thought of as a bridge QB, Geno proved that he can be a winning player with the right pieces around him.
Making his first Pro Bowl, Smith threw for 4282 yards, 30 TDs and 11 INTs. Using his legs as well, he ran for 366 yards and one more score to put the icing on the cake.
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