Welcome to the NFL franchise tag window.
Tuesday is the first day teams can use the franchise tag tender. The window will remain open until March 4 at 4 p.m. ET.
During this time, all 32 clubs can tag one player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 12, the start of the new league year. Doing so would keep that player with the organization for the 2025 season.
The franchise tag earnings are based on each position’s top five annual salaries. If a player is tagged multiple times, the franchise tag salary increases each time.
Nine players received the franchise tag tender a year ago, including pass rusher Brian Burns and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who were both traded. The Giants acquired Burns in a trade with the Panthers, and the Chiefs shipped Sneed to the Titans.
Now it’s time to look at the five players who could receive the franchise tag this offseason.
VIKINGS QB SAM DARNOLD
The Vikings are in a unique position regarding Darnold and the quarterback position. A year ago, the Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract as a stop-gap solution. Minnesota also selected J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Darnold turned his opportunity into a career year. He passed for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and was named to his first Pro Bowl. Darnold also helped the Vikings to a 14-3 record in the NFC before they lost to the Rams in the Wild-Card round.
Now, the Vikings will need to decide if Darnold is worth keeping for another year or if they give the keys to McCarthy, who missed last season because of a knee injury. Darnold is seeking long-term security, and the Vikings may not want to give it to him. He faded down the stretch after throwing just one touchdown pass during Minnesota’s final two games in losses to the Lions and Rams.
The Vikings could decide to franchise tag Darnold, but that would exceed $41 million per Over The Cap. That number could be too rich for Minnesota, especially after selecting a quarterback less than a year ago.
BENGALS WR TEE HIGGINS
Cincinnati has an interesting decision to make regarding Higgins. The team placed the franchise tag on him last year, which led to his trade request. Instead of moving on, Higgins played on the $21.8 million tag last season.
If the Bengals place the tag on Higgins again, he would earn around $26.1 million if he signs it. The issue for them is Higgins’ teammate, Ja’Marr Chase, is also looking for an extension and will likely want to be paid top receiver money after registering 127 catches, 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns last season.
The Bengals plan to use the franchise tag with Higgins if they cannot sign him to a long-term deal, according to Sports Illustrated. Considering they will also look to keep pass rusher Trey Henderickson past the 2025 season, money could be tight for the Bengals.
TEXANS WR STEFON DIGGS
The Texans are projected to be $2 million over the salary cap entering the offseason. Obviously, they will trim that number ahead of free agency, but will they find a way to keep Diggs?
Franchise tagging Diggs could be possible, but spending $25.6 million on a receiver who’s 31 and coming off a significant injury is questionable. He is currently recovering from a season-ending ACL tear last season. In eight games before his injury, Diggs caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns.
A franchise tag option might be too rich for Houston, but bringing Diggs back on a one-year prove-it deal might be smart.
EAGLES LB ZACK BAUN
Howie Roseman is one of the best general managers in the NFL. Roseman must make some tough decisions after the Eagles won their second Super Bowl.
One of those is Baun, a key catalyst during the Eagles championship run. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract last offseason. He parlayed that into a first-team All-Pro campaign after finishing with 93 tackles, 3.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
The linebacker franchise tag price is $27 million, and the Eagles only have $18 million in cap space. So Roseman will need to get creative if he wants to keep Baun and some of their key players.
DOLPHINS S JEVON HOLLAND
Before deciding on Holland, the Dolphins must get cap-compliant before free agency. Miami is $5.4 million over the salary cap. Placing the tag on Holland could make some sense, but a $19.6 million price tag could be too rich for a Dolphins team that needs to shore up several holes.
Holland is coming off his worst statistical season in the league. He registered 62 tackles and zero interceptions on a Dolphins team that finished fourth in total defense.
The likely scenario is the Dolphins allowing Holland to enter free agency. If that is the case, a team like the Jets, which is a significant need at safety, could make sense for Holland.
