The 49ers & the franchise tag: Three players San Francisco could use it on
Feb 21, 2023, 2:04 PM
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are entering the 2023 offseason with work to do if they want to make another deep run in the postseason. But with a plethora of starters hitting free agency this spring, the Red & Gold will need to make decisions fast on personnel, especially with the franchise tag.
The window for NFL teams to extend the tag to players officially opened this week, lasting until March 7th. The franchise tag is used by front offices who want to keep players in house to discuss long-term deals. The tag is broken up into exclusive and non-exclusive thresholds, with both options equaling a one-year deal valued at the top five salaries for the respected positions.
San Francisco hasn’t been known to use the franchise tag frequently, last using it with kicker Robbie Gould in 2020 before agreeing to a two-year deal to remain in SF. But with limited funds available this spring, the 49ers would have to do some serious restructuring to Gert the money for a tag.
Regardless, here are three players that could be options for the 49ers’ franchise tag the next week and a half.
RT Mike McGlinchey
2023 Franchise Tag: $18,244,000
One of the sport’s most important positions, 49ers’ right tackle Mike McGlinchey hits free agency after an improved 2022 season. Finishing with an overall grade of 71.5 from Pro Football Focus, the Philly native was a key part of San Francisco’s top-tier run game last season.
But is it enough for an extension or tag?
The 49ers would need to overlook his penalty issues (10 last season), and also hope he can improve in the passing game too. While not a perfect player, McGlinchey played in all 20 contests for the Red & Gold after having injury issues the year prior. He’s also a locker room favorite for what it’s worth, carrying a great relationship between the franchise and player into the offseason.
CB Emmanuel Moseley
2023 Franchise Tag: $18,140,000
Moseley was having a stellar 2022 season before he tore his ACL in the closing minutes of Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. Now heading into free agency off injury, “E-Man” should still generate much interest around the NFL, including in the Bay Area.
“E-Man is doing really well. He’s out on the field as we speak, working out here and rehabbing, doing really well. Most of the time, unless somebody’s hit a complication you typically hear doing really well, a little bit ahead of schedule because these guys are elite athletes and if you know Mose at all, his commitment to the process is going to be elite,” 49ers general manager John Lynch previously stated. “And that’s what he’s done. He was down in L.A., rehabbing for a long time, we’ve had him back for the last couple weeks. He’s a free agent. He’s a guy we’d have interest in bringing back because of the way he plays, but also what he stands for. He’s one of us and we’d sure like to have him back.”
But at a cap hit of $18 million, the 49ers probably can’t afford to tag E-Man.
Moseley finished his 2022 season with 22 combined tackles, 5 passes defended and 1 pick-six.
K Robbie Gould
2023 Franchise Tag: $5,393,000
At the ripe age of 40, kicker Robbie Gould is hoping to get in a few more seasons before he rides off into the sunset of retirement.
“I’m nowhere near retiring,” Gould said after the NFC Championship loss. “I got a lot left to do from a career perspective–No. 1 being winning a Super Bowl. And, two, I’m pretty close to a lot of milestones I think would be pretty neat to be able to accomplish.”
Given Gould’s advanced age, the 49ers may be reluctant to commit to a long-term deal with the kicker. Hint the reason for a franchise tag. If Gould was placed under the tag, that would make him the second-highest paid kicker in the NFL behind Justin Tucker. And valued at about $5.4 million for one season, San Francisco may just do it to secure their guy on special teams.
Gould has been an excellent placekicker over his 18-year career, remaining perfect in the postseason (29-29).
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