In a surprising turn of events, the NFL’s franchise tag deadline for 2025 has come and gone with very little fanfare. Only two players received the franchise tag this year, a sharp decline from the nine players who were tagged last season. This marks the fewest players receiving the franchise tag since 1994, the year after the tag was first introduced.
The Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs each tagged one of their star players: Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and Chiefs right guard Trey Smith. For Higgins, this means a second consecutive year of playing under the franchise tag, earning a salary increase from $21.8 million to $26.2 million. While he won’t hit the free-agent market, the 120% raise gives Higgins a chance to negotiate a long-term deal with the Bengals in the future.
On the other hand, Trey Smith becomes the highest-paid guard in football, jumping from a salary of $3.4 million last season to $23.4 million this year due to his tag. The Chiefs are likely to use this additional time to negotiate a long-term deal that would continue his stay in Kansas City.
This year’s low activity greatly contrasts with a trend where 17 players had been tagged in the past two years. The decline is thought to stem from rising salary caps and fewer standout free agents available. It’s an especially tough blow for the New England Patriots, who were keen to snag Higgins for themselves. With $127.7 million in cap space, the Patriots find themselves in a tight spot as the best available wide receivers are not quite on Higgins’ level.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys took a proactive approach by signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal before the deadline. This move sets a precedent for the Cowboys, who have historically waited until the market has inflated, causing more salary problems for them.
Another noteworthy player running into free agency is quarterback Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings, who was not tagged and is considered the best QB available this offseason. With record-breaking stats last season, there’s speculation whether he could land a deal over $40 million annually. The Vikings seem to be making strategic decisions moving forward, possibly aiming for a short-term extension with Darnold or another veteran quarterback as they look to build their roster.
Overall, while teams typically use this time to manage their assets and secure talent, the 2025 franchise tag deadline turned out to be relatively quiet, leaving many to ponder what the next offseason will bring.
