The NFL’s franchise tag is a lifeline or a leash. For some teams, it’s the protection they need to work out a long term deal with a homegrown superstar before he can hit the open market of free agency. For others (specifically the Washington Commanders), it’s the only way to keep a trusted player in the fold when contract negotiations break down.
The 2022 franchise tag window opened February 22nd to little aplomb. That window closes March 8; we’ve already seen hints of the action to come. The Cleveland Browns were the first team to exercise their tag this offseason, keeping tight end David Njoku in the fold in hopes he’ll finally pay off his first round draft pick potential. Players like Orlando Brown and Chris Godwin are expected to join him.
Here are the players who have either been tagged before the 4pm ET deadline or reportedly will be.
Bates was a silver lining in the midst of some bad Bengal teams and a standout in the team’s run to Super Bowl 56. Cincinnati recognizes what he means to its roster. He’ll remain in Ohio for at least one more season:
Bates had statistically his worst season as a pro last fall but remains a rising star capable of handling centerfield duties that allow his defense to blitz with too much concern about getting roasted deep. The two sides will attempt to hammer out a contract extension now that he’s set for 2022.
Njoku once requested a trade in hopes of leaving Cleveland for greener pastures. Now he’s locked in with the Browns for at least one more season at a cost of $10.8 million.
The move comes two offseasons after handing fellow tight end Austin Hooper a four-year, $42 million deal. It’s a bet on Njoku’s potential, as the former first round pick only has one season with more than 475 receiving yards or 60 targets in his five-year career. He was expected to be a commodity on the free agent market; instead, he’ll remain under Cleveland’s control as the two sides try to figure out what comes next.
Godwin played under the franchise tag in 2021. He’s likely to do so again in 2022.
The move allows the Pro Bowl wideout a little comfort in recovery as he rehabs the torn ACL that ended his season. He’ll make roughly $19.2 million on his second tag but could see a raise as he works through a possible contract extension in Tampa. The move will keep the core of Godwin and Mike Evans atop the team’s wideout depth chart, which is a key selling point for a team in need of a new quarterback following Tom Brady’s retirement.
The Chiefs traded a first round pick to acquire Brown in 2021. They weren’t ready to let him leave after just one season protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. He’s expected to be franchise tagged before Tuesday’s deadline.
