While the franchise tag is typically only used anywhere from none to five times each year, the designation is available for all 32 teams. Even though it is rarely used, the franchise tag gives any team the chance to lock a player into a contract for one more season while buying more time to negotiate a long-term extension.
The biggest catch is that the tag comes as a pre-designated salary slot, a top-five salary at his position. Players who receive but don’t sign the franchise tag can also be traded elsewhere. The franchise tag can be assigned at any point from February 18 to March 4, which means we could see some action soon.
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The 2025 NFL free agency class has several big-name players available, ranging from Pro Bowlers to All-Pros, and even has a couple of likely future Hall of Famers mixed in. Between all of them, who are candidates to be franchise-tagged?
Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins
Odds are, the Miami Dolphins won’t be placing the franchise tag on Jevon Holland. Doing so would mean he’d be getting $19.6 million to play one season with the Dolphins in 2025. Plus, the Dolphins are already starting the offseason over the spending limit, so allocating that much money to a player who’s never reached the Pro Bowl feels unlikely. However, he is a versatile piece that many teams will covet.
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Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
A first-team All-Pro nod while helping the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl will lead to the biggest payday of Zack Baun’s career. Baun finished with career highs in tackles (151), sacks (3.5), pass deflections (4), and forced fumbles (5). He was a key part of the Eagles’ defense, yet allocating $27 million to him under the franchise tag feels too rich.
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Trey Smith, G, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ offensive line holes got exposed in their Super Bowl loss. Now they’re set to lose their 25-year-old Pro Bowl right guard in Trey Smith. He’s one of the best players available in free agency, but the Chiefs don’t have much money to spend. In line to receive $25 million on the franchise tag, Smith could likely earn that much on the open market without Kansas City’s help.
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Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
If he hadn’t been franchise-tagged last offseason, Tee Higgins might be the most likely candidate to be tagged right now. However, since he’s already been tagged once, the Bengals will have to pay him $26.2 million instead of the $21.8 million he made in 2024. Still, the Bengals will likely do anything they have to in order to keep their other star receiver.
Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Perhaps the most likely franchise tag candidate is Sam Darnold with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have money to burn and have yet to see what J.J. McCarthy is capable of against regular season competition. Plus, Darnold could always be tagged-and-traded elsewhere.
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