The NFL’s franchise tag is a lifeline or a leash. For some groups, it’s the safety they should work out a long run take care of a homegrown celebrity earlier than he can hit the open market of free company. For others (particularly the Washington Commanders), it’s the one method to maintain a trusted participant within the fold when contract negotiations break down.
The 2022 franchise tag window opened February twenty second to little aplomb. That window closes March 8; we’ve already seen hints of the motion to come back. The Cleveland Browns had been the primary staff to train their tag this offseason, retaining tight finish David Njoku within the fold in hopes he’ll lastly repay his first spherical draft decide potential. Gamers like Orlando Brown and Chris Godwin are anticipated to affix him.
Listed here are the gamers who’ve both been tagged earlier than the 4pm ET deadline or reportedly can be.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
Njoku as soon as requested a commerce in hopes of leaving Cleveland for greener pastures. Now he’s locked in with the Browns for not less than yet another season at a price of $10.8 million.
The transfer comes two offseasons after handing fellow tight finish Austin Hooper a four-year, $42 million deal. It’s a guess on Njoku’s potential, as the previous first spherical decide solely has one season with greater than 475 receiving yards or 60 targets in his five-year profession. He was anticipated to be a commodity on the free agent market; as an alternative, he’ll stay underneath Cleveland’s management as the 2 sides strive to determine what comes subsequent.
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Godwin performed underneath the franchise tag in 2021. He’s seemingly to take action once more in 2022.
The transfer permits the Professional Bowl wideout somewhat consolation in restoration as he rehabs the torn ACL that ended his season. He’ll make roughly $19.2 million on his second tag however might see a increase as he works by way of a attainable contract extension in Tampa. The transfer will maintain the core of Godwin and Mike Evans atop the staff’s wideout depth chart, which is a key promoting level for a staff in want of a brand new quarterback following Tom Brady’s retirement.
Orlando Brown, OT, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
The Chiefs traded a primary spherical decide to accumulate Brown in 2021. They weren’t able to let him go away after only one season defending Patrick Mahomes’ blind facet. He’s anticipated to be franchise tagged earlier than Tuesday’s deadline.
