:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68936614/1289776166.5.jpg)
The LA Rams are not expected to use the franchise tag in 2021. But we can’t entirely rule it out with regards to John Johnson and while the deadline was meant to be Tuesday, that could be delayed until after the NFL settles its TV deal negotiations.
Last year the NFL pushed back the franchise tag deadline until 1 minute before the legal tampering window opened on March 16th. The salary cap was officially set on March 15th.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 8, 2021
Teams have been suspecting such could be the case again this year. https://t.co/UR7GPXiWgk
The franchise tag has been applied to Bears receiver Allen Robinson, Bucs receiver Chris Godwin, Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (disputed), Washington guard Brandon Scherff, Panthers tackle Taylor Moton, Jaguars tackle Cam Robinson, Broncos safety Justin Simmons, Saints safety Marcus Williams, and Jets safety Marcus Maye. The Cowboys are expected to tag QB Dak Prescott even though they already agreed to a new four-year contract extension, because of technical matters.
We’ll keep track of those and all the non-tags as the news trickles in this week.
Saints tag S Marcus Williams
Another surprise: The #Saints are putting the franchise on S Marcus Williams, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021
The Saints weren’t expected to use the tag because of financial constraints, but they’ve applied it to Williams. He is the third safety tagged, but mum is the word on the Rams and Johnson.
Bears tag WR Allen Robinson
Bears placed franchise tag on WR Allen Robinson, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Bucs tag WR Chris Godwin
The Buccaneers told WR Chris Godwin he is getting the franchise tag, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/RV8JnxTgHs
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 9, 2021
Godwin isn’t going anywhere without the acquiring team paying a hefty price.
Linebackers Shaq Barrett and Lavonte David will now become free agents, barring an extension with Tampa Bay prior to March 17.
Washington tags G Brandon Scherff
We have applied the franchise tag to G Brandon Scherff pic.twitter.com/GIMz3xdBim
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) March 9, 2021
That’s two years in a row for Scherff.
Jets tag S Marcus Maye
Jets placed franchise tag on safety Marcus Maye, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Broncos tag S Justin Simmons
Broncos placing franchise tag on S Justin Simmons today, as @AllbrightNFL also reported. Simmons becomes the first player to be tagged this off-season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2021
Several safeties were tagged last year. It could be that the players at the position and the NFL are not in agreement with regards to how valuable they are on a long-term deal.
The franchise tag for a safety is worth about $10.5 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Two franchise tags so far - both to safeties. https://t.co/e0thUxmClA
Giants tag DL Leonard Williams?
The #Giants are expected to franchise tag standout DL Leonard Williams, source said. It’s viewed as a placeholder for a long-term deal, which the two sides will continue to work towards. On the heels of a career year with 11.5 sacks, Leo is back with NYG.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021
This was later refuted on Tuesday morning by GM Dave Gettleman.
Gettleman said the team has not yet made the decision about putting the franchise tag on Williams. https://t.co/wTEOw4Ij8S
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) March 9, 2021
Chargers will NOT tag TE Hunter Henry
#Chargers are not placing the franchise tag on TE Hunter Henry, per @AdamSchefter. Would've been $12.72M fully guaranteed.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 9, 2021
A complete tight end who can impact the game as a receiver and blocker. And he's still only 26 years old. Top TE on the market.
Henry should make at least $11 million per year as a free agent tight end.
Lions will NOT tag WR Kenny Golladay
Lions have informed WR Kenny Golladay that they will not use their franchise tag on him, as @TomPelissero reported. Golladay is headed to free agency.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
The blockbuster move for the Rams would be to reunite Golladay with Matthew Stafford somehow. Golladay and Stafford were described as having a special relationship in Detroit.
Falcons will NOT tag S Keanu Neal
Report confirms #Falcons will not use the franchise tag on safety Keanu Neal. Does this spell the end of his time in Atlanta? https://t.co/gGAGJ7Oqf2 pic.twitter.com/FCmFlszdMb
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) March 9, 2021
Will the Rams replace Johnson with Raheem Morris’s safety from Atlanta?
Jaguars tag OT Cam Robinson
A surprise: The #Jaguars are expected to franchise tag OT Cam Robinson, locking in their valuable OL for 2021 and keeping him from the free agent market. He was to be one of the top tackles available.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021
Not many were expecting Robinson to get tagged, but this is how shallow the pool of quality tackles is.
Panthers tag OT Taylor Moton
Panthers are using their franchise tag on OT Taylor Moton, per sources. OT franchise number is expected to be between $13.5 and $14 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Exhibit B.
Patriots will NOT tag G Joe Thuney
Patriots are not expected to use their franchise tag on OG Joe Thuney as they did last year, per sources. Thuney likely headed to the free-agent market.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Steelers will NOT tag LB Bud Dupree
LB Bud Dupree, Pittsburgh’s franchise player last year, has been informed that he will not be franchised again this year, per league source. Dupree is headed to free agency.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Dupree and Thuney were both on the tag last year but will become free agents this year.
Seahawks will NOT tag RB Chris Carson
Seahawks informed RB Chris Carson that they will not place their franchise tag on him, per source. Carson set to hit free agency.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Cardinals will NOT tag LB Haason Reddick
Cardinals’ LB Hasson Reddick, who had a team-high 12.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits last season, was informed that he will not be tagged, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021
Ravens will NOT tag anybody
The Ravens weren't expected to use the franchise tag and they won't. OLBs Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue will likely hit the open market next week.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 9, 2021
Two pass rushers from Baltimore are set to hit the market.
Titans will NOT tag TE Jonnu Smith
Titans are not tagging TE Jonnu Smith, per source. Smith heads to free agency.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021