Eight players were given the franchise tag and one — Patriots safety Kyle Dugger — received the transition tag before the NFL deadline for teams to apply the roster safety net to players with expiring contracts.
Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET was the deadline for teams to apply tags.
Introduced in 1993, the expensive but restrictive roster designation affords a team leverage of first right of refusal with pending unrestricted free agents who, in return, are able to sign a one-year tender at premium value based on the existing market value of their position.
While most of the moves were anticipated and had been discussed openly by coaches or front office personnel, New England’s use of the transition tag wasn’t predicted by many.
The transition tag grants a player a one-year salary equal to the average of the top 10 salaries at the position — as opposed to the top five for the franchise tag — but teams forfeit compensation of two first-round picks they would receive if a franchise player signed to join a new team.
The difference is reflected in the one-year tender for Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and Dugger. Winfield would be due $17.1 million with a signed franchise tender whereas Dugger is promised $13.8 million.
All players have until July 17 to work out a long-term contract with their current team to shed the franchise tag.
Players tagged and corresponding one-year tender for 2024:
LB Josh Allen, Jaguars, $24.1 million
LB Brian Burns, Panthers, $24.1 million
S Kyle Dugger, Patriots, $13.8 million (transition tag)
WR Tee Higgins, Bengals, $21.8 million
CB Jaylon Johnson, Bears, $19.8 million
DT Justin Madubuike, Ravens, $22.1 million
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Colts, $21.8 million
CB L’Jarius Sneed, Chiefs, $19.8 million
S Antoine Winfield Jr., Buccaneers, $17.1 million
–Field Level Media