NFL franchise tag window opens with MAJOR questions facing teams ahead of free agency and draft

The NFL tag window has officially opened, and teams will now have until March 7 to use the franchise or transition tag on players with expiring contracts in an effort to prevent them from reaching free agency.

Teams typically wait until just before the window closes to use a tag after first trying to negotiate, with much of the contract talk coming at the NFL combine next week. There are three different options for teams to use via the transition tag, the exclusive franchise tag, and the most widely used non-exclusive franchise tag.

The non-exclusive franchise tag, commonly referred to simply as the “franchise tag,” is a one-year offer of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position over the past five years, or 120 percent of his previous salary. whoever is older. The player can trade with other teams, but his current team is entitled to match any offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation if he signs with another club.

The exclusive franchise tag, on the other hand, is a more expensive tag, taking the average of only the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year, or 120 percent of his previous salary, whichever be older. It also offers more protection to the team as the player cannot trade with other teams. This is generally reserved for the players that other teams would be happy to hand over both first round picks for.

The transition tag, on the other hand, has the least financial commitment while offering the least protection. He takes the averages of the top 10 salaries at the position instead of the top five and the tag team gets no draft compensation if they don’t match the deal.

Offensive players are set to dominate potential tag targets, as some of the top leagues are set to have their contracts expire before the start of free agency. Redskins defensive tackle Daron Payne is now ready to be tagged, according to The Athletic

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson deserves the most attention, as the former MVP was one of the most dynamic game-changers in the league and at the games biggest position.

Most viewers have been surprised by how far apart Jackson and the Ravens appear to be in contract negotiations, as Jackson has stuck to the stance he wants, similar to the $230 million fully guaranteed the Cleveland Browns gave him. Deshaun Watson.

It is widely expected that Baltimore will offer Jackson with an exclusive tag, allowing them more time to reach a long-term deal or shake the NFL to its core by trading him for a mammoth comeback.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is also one of the top candidates to be tagged if the two sides can’t come to an agreement, though superstar running back Saquon Barkley will also become a free agent. It’s already been said that if both players remain unsigned, Jones is one of two to receive a tag.

Several other offensive players include leading NFL running back Josh Jacobs, Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown and Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, who is coming off a year of career.

On the defensive side of the ball, Philadelphia Eagles safety and joint NFL interception leader CJ Gardner-Johnson are likely to be tagged.

Bengals safety Jessie Bates also ticks all the boxes to be a candidate, however, he was tagged last season and would take up a significant portion of the Bengals’ salary cap if he were tagged once more.