The NFL Franchise Tag Tracker for 2025: A Closer Look at Sam Darnold’s Status
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming NFL season, teams across the league are gearing up for a critical period in player contract negotiations. The franchise tag window is now open, allowing teams to secure their impending free agents before the new league year officially begins on March 12. This window will remain open until March 4 at 4 p.m. ET, giving teams a limited time frame to make crucial decisions that could impact their rosters for the upcoming season.
The franchise tag is a valuable tool that allows teams to retain a key player by offering them a one-year contract with a predetermined salary. There are three different versions of the franchise tag available, each with its own set of rules and implications. The exclusive tag prevents a player from negotiating with other teams and is based on the current average salary of the five highest-paid players at their position. The non-exclusive tag allows a player to negotiate with other teams while being valued based on the average salary of the five highest-paid players at their position over the past five years. The transition tag gives a player the ability to negotiate with other teams and allows their current team to match any offer received, with the value based on the average of the 10 highest-paid players at their position.
Players who have been tagged
Kansas City Chiefs OL Trey Smith
The Chiefs made a strategic move by tagging Trey Smith, ensuring they retain their reliable 25-year-old guard. Smith, ranked at No. 2 on FOX Sports’ top 100 free agents list, has been a consistent presence on the field for Kansas City, starting in nearly every game of his four-year career. His impressive performance in protecting Patrick Mahomes, with a low sack percentage of 0.2 in the past season, further solidifies his value to the team. If a long-term deal is not reached between Smith and the Chiefs, he stands to earn $23.4 million on a one-year tag.
Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins finds himself on the franchise tag once again, as the Bengals secure the standout wide receiver for another season. Ranked as the No. 1 player on FOX Sports’ top 100 free agents list, Higgins has proven his worth with an impressive stat line of 73 receptions, 911 yards, and a career-high 10 touchdowns in just 12 games in 2024. While Higgins can negotiate with other teams, any potential suitor would have to forfeit two first-round picks if the Bengals choose not to match the offer. Higgins’ cap number with the franchise tag is set at $26.16 million, emphasizing his value to the Bengals.
Expected to be tagged
Dallas Cowboys DL Osa Odighizuwa (report)
Miami Dolphins S Jevon Holland (report)
Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold
Despite initial speculation, the Minnesota Vikings are not expected to use the franchise tag on Sam Darnold, indicating their keen interest in bringing him back for the 2025 season. This decision reflects the team’s ongoing negotiations with Darnold as they work towards a potential deal that extends beyond the franchise tag deadline. Darnold’s future with the Vikings remains uncertain, but the team’s commitment to securing his services is evident.
Franchise tag candidates to watch
Baltimore Ravens OL Ronnie Stanley
Detroit Lions DB Carlton Davis III
Philadelphia Eagles LB Zack Baun and DL Josh Sweat
As teams navigate the complexities of the franchise tag window, the NFL landscape is ripe with anticipation and speculation. The decisions made in the coming days will shape the rosters of teams across the league, setting the stage for another action-packed season of football.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the franchise tag tracker continues to unfold, offering a glimpse into the strategic maneuvers of NFL teams as they secure their key players for the upcoming season. The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the outcome of these crucial negotiations that will impact the league’s competitive landscape in the months to come.
As the countdown to the new league year begins, the drama surrounding the franchise tag tracker only adds to the intrigue of the upcoming NFL season. The stakes are high, the tension is palpable, and the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the world of professional football. So buckle up, football fans, because the excitement is just getting started.
