The two-week window for NFL teams to place the franchise tag on players opens next Tuesday, running through March 4th. During this period, each club can tag one impending unrestricted free agent, binding them to the franchise for the 2025 season under a hefty one-year contract. The tag amounts are based on the top salaries at each position, escalating each time a player is tagged. Front offices must weigh whether absorbing that massive cap hit is worthwhile to retain a star player or if it’s wiser to work out a long-term extension.
Last offseason, nine players were franchise tagged, with two of them – Brian Burns and L’Jarius Sneed – later being traded to new teams. Who are the leading candidates to be tagged this year? Here’s a look at the top names to watch and what their situations could mean for the QB carousel, WR market, and more.
Potential Franchise QB: Sam Darnold
The most fascinating franchise tag case is undoubtedly Sam Darnold. The 26-year-old QB played the best football of his career for the Vikings in 2024 after being traded from Carolina. With an estimated tag amount north of $40 million for quarterbacks, Minnesota faces a massive decision.
Tagging Darnold would be an expensive placeholder, buying time to negotiate a long-term deal while preventing him from hitting the open market. It would also position the Vikings to tag-and-trade Darnold if another team bowls them over with an offer. But with youngster J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, Minnesota may balk at that exorbitant price tag just for a stopgap.
Using the tag on Darnold would be an expensive way of ensuring his return while avoiding a longer-term commitment that would hinder J.J. McCarthy’s eventual ascension.
– Kevin Seifert, ESPN
Will Bengals Tag Tee Higgins Again?
The other headline name is Bengals WR Tee Higgins. Cincinnati used the tag on Higgins last offseason and could do so again in 2025 after the 26-year-old notched a career-high 10 TD catches despite missing time with injuries. Tagging Higgins a second time would come at a steeper cost but give the Bengals more time to hammer out a long-term contract.
As Bengals reporter Ben Baby notes, QB Joe Burrow has been vocal about wanting to keep a star like Higgins in the fold long-term. The tag could also be a chip to eventually trade Higgins if the receiver market explodes. Plenty of WR-needy teams would line up for a chance to deal for the talented 6’4″ target.
Could wide receiver Tee Higgins be tagged again? Quarterback Joe Burrow has been adamant about not letting great players such as Higgins leave the building.
– Ben Baby, ESPN
Other Top Tag Candidates
- Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Cowboys – Coming off career year but tag may be too costly
- Darius Slayton, WR, Giants – Solid WR1 but not worth over $20M tag amount
- Byron Murphy Jr., CB, Vikings – Could be tagged to buy time for long-term deal
- Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs – TB wants him back but won’t tag him a 3rd time
The franchise tag is a powerful tool for teams to retain their top free agents, even at a hefty one-year price. By this time next week, we’ll know which stars will be playing on the tag in 2025 and whose long-term future remains up in the air. The tag deadline is often the catalyst for a flurry of contract extensions or trade talks, so buckle up for a fascinating free agency period ahead.
