BALTIMORE RAVENS PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON ALL-PRO DT JUSTIN MADUBUIKE
The Baltimore Ravens have placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, the team confirmed ahead of Tuesday’s 4pm tag deadline.
A breakout star in 2023, Madubuike is now locked in for $22.1 million in 2024 after leading all defensive tackles across the league with 13 total sacks last year. He also tied an NFL record by recording at least a half sack in 11 consecutive games. His sack total last year was also the Ravens’ best sack production total since Terrell Suggs’ twelve-sack performance in 2014. As per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, both sides are still discussing a long-term deal.
“We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin [Madubuike] before the deadline and will use the franchise tag,” said Ravens GM Eric DeCosta in a statement released by the team. “Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him.”
CAROLINA PANTHERS PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON EDGE RUSHER BRIAN BURNS
The Carolina Panthers have also placed the franchise tag on standout pass rusher Brian Burns, as first reported by Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.
The Panthers previously rejected a package last offseason of two first-round picks in 2024 and 2025, and a second round pick in 2023 for Burns from the Los Angeles Rams, something the 25-year-old and his camp have been aware of and are thus aiming to secure a top-of-the-market deal with their new found leverage.
Tagging Burns hasn’t come as a surprise considering the two-year struggle between Burns and the Panthers to come to a contract agreement. Carolina is still expected to head back to the table with Burns to try and negotiate a new extension although there remains the possibility that the fifth-year edge rusher could be a tag and trade candidate.
Carolina does not have a first-round pick this year and needs upgrades all over the roster, something that could prompt the Panthers to consider trading the former Florida State Seminole. Burns’ tag for 2024 is worth $24 million.
The Panthers also released sixth-year tight end Hayden Hurst on Tuesday, just one year after signing a three-year, $21.75 million deal with the organization. Hurst missed the final eight games of the season last year due to a concussion.
CHICAGO BEARS PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON CB JAYLON JOHNSON
The Chicago Bears have placed their franchise tag on cornerback Jaylon Johnson, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Johnson and the Bears are working on a new, long-term deal as the former Utah Ute is expected to re-sign. Bears General Manager Ryan Poles said during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last weekend that they are in the process of getting a deal done with Johnson, saying “conversations are going well at this time.”
The Pro Bowl defensive back’s franchise tag number is $19.8 million in 2024.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON EDGE RUSHER JOSH ALLEN
The Jacksonville Jaguars have tagged two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, Josh Allen, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Both parties are intent on getting a deal done but in the meantime, Allen remains on the books for one year at $24 million. The fifth-year outside linebacker had a career year last season and should be rewarded soon. Allen registered 66 total tackles, along with a career-high 17.5 sacks and 33 QB hits in 2023. He also added an interception and a pass defended.
“We were not able to reach an agreement on a contract extension with Josh [Allen] before today’s deadline,” said Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke in a statement. “And, thus, we have tagged him. We certainly value Josh’s leadership on the field, in the locker room and in the community. Our objective to keep Josh in Jacksonville in the coming years remains unchanged and negotiations will continue.”
The Jaguars are also planning to release safety Rayshawn Jenkins and cornerback Darious Williams in a move to create more cap space. Williams has a $10.5 million cap hit and had 9 passes defensed last year along with four interceptions in 2023.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON WR MICHAEL PITTMAN JR
The Indianapolis Colts have placed the franchise tag on standout wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The tag is worth $21.816 million in 2024 and could just be a placeholder as both sides are working hard to get a long-term deal done. According to multiple reports, Pittman and the Colts have never been close to getting a deal done, so the franchise tag was the only likely option. Both parties have until mid-July to reach an agreement.
Pittman had a career-high 109 receptions for 1,152 receiving yards last season and has been the Colts’ best wide receiver since being drafted in 2020, despite playing with four different starting quarterbacks in each of his four years with Indianapolis. This is the first time the Colts have used the franchise tag since 2013, when they used it on punter-turned podcaster and TV presenter, Pat McAfee.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS PLACE TRANSITION TAG ON S KYLE DUGGER
The New England Patriots placed the transition tag on safety Kyle Dugger, the only transition tag placed this year, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
A rarely used franchise tag, the move by New England keeps Dugger off the free agent market and gives the Patriots a chance to match any offers received by the 27-year-old safety. The transition tag value for safeties in 2024 is $13.8 million, as opposed to $17.1 million for the franchise tag.
Similar to restricted free agency, Dugger can receive a contract offer from other teams in free agency but New England has the right of first refusal to match that offer. The transition tag was last used in 2020 by the Arizona Cardinals when they utilized it on running back Kenyan Drake.
The move to tag Dugger means the Patriots won’t be tagging versatile offensive lineman Mike Onwenu and the former Michigan Wolverine will now enter free agency on March 13th. Onwenu terminated his agents last month and informed all 32 teams that he’ll represent himself in negotiations.
NEW YORK GIANTS DO NOT PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON RB SAQUON BARKLEY
The New York Giants did not place the franchise tag on superstar running back Saquon Barkley ahead of Tuesday’s tag deadline, meaning the former second overall pick is set to be a free agent next week.
The face of the New York Giants, Barkley and the organization have failed to come to a contract agreement over the past three years. Barkley played on his fifth-year option in 2022 and was eventually tagged last offseason before agreeing to a revised incentive-based one-year deal ahead of training camp. A second straight tag for Barkley would cost $12.1 million but wouldn’t exactly have been welcomed. Barkley has openly talked about not wanting to be tagged over the past 18 months.
After six years in New York, the former Penn State Nittany Lion could now become one of the top free agents in the league, barring an extension agreement in the next week. Barkley had 962 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in 2023, along with 41 receptions for 280 yards and four receiving touchdowns. The 27-year-old missed three games last season with ankle injuries.
“I think the world of Saquon [Barkley],” said Giants GM Joe Schoen at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week. “I still think he can play. So my value for Saquon hasn’t really changed. Unfortunately, throughout the process, starting back in November of 2022, we weren’t able to come to an agreement in terms of where we both thought a deal made sense.”
Amongst the top free agent running backs in the league this year include Josh Jacobs, Gus Edwards, Derrick Henry, Barkley, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard, JK Dobbins, Zach Moss, Ezekiel Elliott, and D’Andre Swift.
The Giants subsequently did not tag safety Xavier McKinney. The former Alabama defensive back is also set to hit the open market.
NEW YORK JETS RELEASE TE CJ UZOMAH
The New York Jets are expected to release tight end CJ Uzomah at the start of the league year on March 13, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Just two seasons after signing with the team, Uzomah gets to move on after a disappointing season in which he managed just 8 catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. The move would save the Jets more than $5 million on the cap, and would leave them with about $25 million in salary cap space. New York is now set to move forward with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert, although they could still add to that tight end group in free agency and the draft.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially placed their franchise tag on standout safety Antoine Winfield Jr., as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Winfield’s tag is worth $17.1 million fully guaranteed for 2024. The fourth-year defensive back was selected First-Team All-Pro this past season after registering 6 sacks and three interceptions while forcing a league-leading six fumbles. He was PFF’s highest-graded safety for the 2023 season, ahead of Ravens’ second-year safety, Kyle Hamilton.
Winfield isn’t expected to play 2024 on the tag with the move essentially acting as a placeholder until both sides can agree on a long-term deal. Both the team and the player have until mid-July to actualize an extension. According to multiple reports, both parties are keen on working out a deal and want to get it done. After the Buccaneers extended five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans last week, Winfield is now next on the priority list and should get a contract extension really soon.
With the Buccaneers tagging Winfield, standout quarterback Baker Mayfield is set to be a free agent next week, barring the striking of a new deal before March 13th.
CHIEFS TAG CB L’JARIUS SNEED
The Kansas City Chiefs have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on standout cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The non-exclusive tag is worth a fully guaranteed $19.802 million in 2024 and Sneed has permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade, making him an intriguing candidate to land elsewhere for potential draft capital compensation. The Chiefs have reportedly had talks with other teams over the past week regarding a trade for the fourth-year cornerback.
Kansas City has used the franchise tag six times over the past decade, and in three of those cases, they worked out a long-term deal. Only once did they trade a player, and that was pass rusher Dee Ford, whom the Chiefs sent to the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick – while also landing Frank Clark, who had been tagged and traded by the Seattle Seahawks.
If Sneed doesn’t agree to terms with another team, he could stay with the Chiefs and play on the tag.
The move means the Chiefs now have to sign five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones to a new extension. Failure to do so would mean the 29-year-old hits the free agent market. Jones is reportedly holding out for the biggest contract for a non-quarterback, which would eclipse San Francisco 49ers’ EDGE rusher Nick Bosa’s $34 million annual salary. Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million deal last September.
DOLPHINS OPT NOT TO TAG DT CHRISTIAN WILKINS
The Miami Dolphins, meanwhile, will not franchise tag standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins ahead of Tuesday’s 4pm franchise tag deadline, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Wilkins has been a long-time staple of Miami’s defense, having been drafted by the Dolphins in the first round in 2019. One of the league’s best run stoppers, Wilkins is expected to not only test the free agent market in 2024 but also thrive in it as the former Clemson Tiger is set to sign a massive free agent deal next week. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe was first on Wilkin’s expected new deal.
Wilkins and the Dolphins held contract extension talks last season but those conversations failed to come to fruition which led to Wilkins playing out his final contract year. Miami must clear $31.6 million in cap space before March 13th and could potentially lose a few more players over the next week. The Dolphins released veteran cornerback Xavien Howard and outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah last month.
A few NFL executives recently told NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe during the Combine in Indianapolis that they expect Wilkins to match or top the deals made by Jets’ DT Quinnen Williams, Titans’ DT Jeffrey Simmons, or Giants’ Dexter Lawrence. Williams signed the second-most lucrative deal for a defensive tackle last offseason and is on $24 million a year. Wilkins’ new deal is expected to be in the $22-$25 million range.
The 28-year-old had a career-high 9 sacks in 2023, joining only four other defensive tackles in the league with at least nine sacks; Ravens’ Justin Madubuike (13.0), Chiefs’ Chris Jones (10.5), Bills’ Ed Oliver (9.5), and Rams’ Kobie Turner (9.0).
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Alexander Jonesi. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.