Tracking franchise tag for 2022 NFL

The 2022 NFL franchise tag can be placed on a player from February 22nd to March 8th. That means some of the best players headed to free agency may never make it there. They, of course, could be signed to a long-term deal before free agency starts on March 14 or they could get the franchise tag, which gives them a good payday, but also means they are playing on a one-year deal.

News of who might be tagged and who might not, has been trickling in after the Super Bowl wrapped up and we’ll keep you abreast of all the news and rumors that come across our desk.

2022 NFL franchise tag news and rumors

March 8th update

Allen Robinson, WR, Bears

Robinson won’t be tagged by the bears, per Dianna Russini.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Cowboys

It appears the franchise tag salary point for tight ends has NFL GMs feeling good about locking up the position, as Gesicki, Njoku, and now Schultz, per Ian Rapoport, have all received the tag, giving them $10.8 million for a year.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins

Gesicki has been franchise tagged by the Dolphins, per Cameron Wolfe. They chose him over Emmanuel Ogbah, but hope to get Ogbah signed still.

Gesicki could file a grievance and appeal his tight end designation, as he plays out of the slot or outside the majority of the time. If he could win that argument, his franchise tag salary would rocket up by around $8 million.

March 7th update

Jessie Bates, S, Bengals

The Bengals have tagged safety Jessie bates as expected, per Ian Rapoport. Like most of the tagged players, the Bengals hope to get a longterm deal done with Bates.

David Njoku, TE, Browns

The Browns have tagged tight end David Njoku, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. There appears to be a good chance they will end up getting a contract extension.

Orlando Brown, OL, Chiefs

The Chiefs will use the franchise tag on Brown, per Adam Schefter.

Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs

Update: Godwin is getting the franchise tag, per USA Today’s Tyler Dragon.

Reports have Godwin getting the franchise tag if they don’t get a deal done, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler hearing it’s at “90 percent” that he is tagged over Carlton Davis.

Mike Williams, WR, Chargers

If you had sights on Chargers receiver Mike Williams for your team, it looks like you’ll be out of luck. Williams will likely get the franchise tag, per USA Today’s Tyler Dragon. The Chargers would like to get a longterm contract extension with Williams, but if not, they will end up tagging him.

Chandler Jones, OLB, Cardinals

Jones won’t be tagged by the Cardinals, per Ian Rapoport. Jones has been a sack machine in Arizona, with 71.5 sacks in six seasons with the team. He’ll test the free agency market this offseason.

March 3rd update

Dalton Schultz, TE, Cowboys
Blake Jarwin, TE, Cowboys

Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin isn’t likely to be ready for the start of the season and could be out a long time due to a unique hip injury, per Clarence Hill. Dalton Schultz becomes even more important with Jarwin’s injury and would at least need to be considered for the franchise tag.

February 28th update

Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
David Njoku, TE, Browns

Tight ends Mike Gesicki and David Njoku are both considered candidates for the franchise tag, per Pro Football Network. Gesicki has been a bigger part of his team’s offense than Njoku and the Dolphins are way under the cap with over $60 million in salary cap space.

Terron Armstead, OL, Saints

Armstead’s contract doesn’t allow him to get the franchise tag this season, per John Sigler. That means the team will need to get him a new deal if they wan’t to keep their stud left tackle in the fold going into the 2022 season.

Davante Adams, WR, Packers

It was reported a couple months ago that Adams and the Packers are headed for the franchise tag after the team broke off negotiations last summer, per Ian Rapoport. The Packers hope is that they can broker a deal after he is tagged, but Adams is asking for around $30 million a year and the Packers are cash-strapped.

J.C. Jackson, CB, Patriots

Jackson was tendered at a second-round level before last season, but now will either need to be signed to a deal, franchise-tagged, or allowed to go into free agency. Jackson isn’t happy that the team hasn’t reached out to him, saying, “I guess they feel like they don’t need me. I guess I can’t be that important to them. I know I am, but they’re not showing me, per Nicole Yang. That, along with ESPN beat reporter Mike Reiss saying, “I rate the odds of them tagging Jackson as low,” and it looks like the writing is on the wall.