NFL Franchise Tag Frenzy: Deadline Looms, Decisions Loom Larger

The clock is ticking, the tension is palpable, and the NFL world is holding its collective breath as the franchise tag deadline of March 4th at 4 p.m. EST rapidly approaches. As is tradition with significant NFL deadlines, most teams appear to be engaging in a last-minute dance, meticulously weighing their options and delaying the inevitable until the very last possible moment.

While the Kansas City Chiefs, demonstrating a surprising display of proactive planning, completed their franchise tag business early, emerging as the model students in this offseason exercise, the remaining teams are immersed in a frantic scramble, carefully evaluating their rosters, cap space, and long-term strategies before making the critical decisions that will shape their immediate futures.

The context of this year’s franchise tag period is particularly intriguing. The 2025 free agency class is widely considered to be underwhelming, notably lacking the top-tier talent that often drives bidding wars and exorbitant contracts. Similarly, the upcoming NFL Draft is not brimming with game-changing quarterbacks, leaving teams searching for signal-callers in a precarious position. This confluence of factors puts significant pressure on teams as they navigate the challenge of retaining their existing talent without jeopardizing their financial stability and future roster construction. The fear of overpaying for a player in a weak market is a real concern, forcing front offices to make calculated and sometimes painful choices.

Let’s delve into the teams that have already made franchise tag decisions and those that are poised to join them before the deadline arrives.

The Chiefs’ Calculated Risk:

The Kansas City Chiefs, despite facing salary cap challenges, managed to retain a crucial piece of their offensive line, a move that underscores their commitment to protecting their star quarterback and maintaining their offensive prowess. Given their Super Bowl performance, where their offensive line struggled against the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant defensive front, the Chiefs understood that creating another vulnerability up front was simply unacceptable. Retaining their lineman was paramount, even if it meant navigating a complex financial landscape.

However, the Chiefs’ decision also raises questions about their ability to bolster the rest of their roster. Their offensive line is already the most expensive in the league, commanding over $96.2 million of their salary cap in 2025, according to OverTheCap. The Chiefs’ front office will have to be creative and resourceful to address other areas of need while managing their existing financial commitments.

The Higgins Saga in Cincinnati:

The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a crossroads with wide receiver Tee Higgins. The franchise tag looms large, but its usage presents a complex dilemma. While the tag would prevent Higgins from hitting free agency and potentially leaving the Bengals empty-handed, Higgins apparently wasn’t pleased about being tagged last season, a long-term contract extension remains a possibility, and the allure of unrestricted free agency undoubtedly lingers.

The franchise tag for wide receivers in 2025 is valued at $23,959,000. However, because it would be Higgins’ second consecutive year on the tag, his price tag balloons to $26,179,200, reflecting a significant 120% increase over his $21,816,000 salary from the previous year.

Money is always a primary consideration for the Bengals, a franchise known for its conservative spending habits. With other key players like Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson also seeking new contracts, the Bengals might be hesitant to allocate a substantial portion of their cap space to Higgins. However, quarterback Joe Burrow has explicitly stated his desire to keep the team’s core players together, adding another layer of pressure to the Bengals’ decision-making process.

Ultimately, the Bengals might resort to a tag-and-trade scenario if they fail to reach a long-term agreement with Higgins. This approach would allow them to retain some value for the receiver while freeing up cap space and addressing other roster needs. Regardless, applying the franchise tag buys the Bengals valuable time to navigate their cap situation and determine the best course of action.

The Vikings’ Quarterback Conundrum:

The Minnesota Vikings are grappling with one of the most intriguing quarterback situations in the league. Sam Darnold, once considered a potential bust, has seemingly resurrected his career and is poised to enter free agency as the top quarterback available. This surprising turn of events has presented the Vikings with a difficult choice: stick with Darnold and capitalize on his resurgence, or explore alternative options in the draft, such as J.J. McCarthy.

The Vikings’ decision will hinge on their evaluation of Darnold’s potential and their confidence in McCarthy’s ability to become a franchise quarterback. If they believe that Darnold’s ceiling is limited, they might be inclined to take a chance on McCarthy’s upside. However, if they are comfortable with Darnold as their long-term starter, they could opt to retain him and focus on building around him.

The Cowboys’ Defensive Dilemma:

Defensive tackle Odighizuwa has emerged as a late-stage franchise tag candidate for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are reportedly prepared to tag Odighizuwa if they are unable to negotiate a long-term deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The 26-year-old’s franchise tag would carry a hefty $25.1 million price tag, potentially limiting the Cowboys’ flexibility in other areas of the offseason. Dallas is facing a tight cap situation and has several roster holes to address, making the decision on Odighizuwa all the more critical. The Cowboys’ front office must carefully weigh the value of retaining Odighizuwa against the potential constraints on their ability to improve the rest of the team.

The Final Countdown:

As the franchise tag deadline looms, the NFL world is bracing for a flurry of activity. Teams will be working around the clock to finalize their evaluations, negotiate with players, and make the strategic decisions that will shape their rosters for the upcoming season. The next few hours will be filled with tension, speculation, and ultimately, some surprising twists and turns. One thing is certain: the franchise tag deadline is a pivotal moment in the NFL offseason, and its impact will be felt for years to come.