These Players Have Been Franchise Tagged for the 2024 Season and Won’t Be Available to the Vikings in Free Agency
On Tuesday, the NFL’s deadline for teams to apply the franchise tag to players came and went.
This process allows teams to block players from entering free agency by applying them to one-year deals worth a set amount of money by their position. This year, eight players saw the franchise tag come their way. Here is a look at each of the players who will no longer hit free agency next week.
The List of Players to Be Franchise Tagged
Bengals WR Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins was the first player to officially receive the franchise tag this offseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the news a little over a week ago, tweeting, “Source: The #Bengals informed star WR Tee Higgins that they are franchising him.”
Higgins, a 2020 second-round pick, has been an integral part of the Bengals passing offense ever since he got into the NFL, totaling 257 receptions for 3684 yards and 24 TDs over his first four NFL seasons. He put together back-to-back 1000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022, but injuries held him to just 12 games in 2023, limiting his production.
The Bengals receiver would have been one of the top receivers on the open market if he went to free agency, but it doesn’t appear that it will be the case anymore.
Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed
L’Jarius Sneed has gone from a fourth-round pick in 2020 to becoming a key part of a defense that has won back-to-back Super Bowls during his early NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. The cornerback was set to hit free agency next week, but that is no longer an option.
Rapoport tweeted on Monday, “The #Chiefs have now officially franchise tagged CB L’Jarius Sneed, as they said they would. He has permission to speak with teams about a potential trade, making him an intriguing candidate to land elsewhere for draft pick compensation. If no trade, he may just play on the tag.”
Sneed is an intriguing trade target for the Minnesota Vikings if the two sides can agree to a deal, but he won’t be entering free agency.
Panthers EDGE Brian Burns
Brian Burns arguably would have been one of the top pass rushers to hit free agency had he been allowed to enter free agency. However, that will not be happening as the Carolina Panthers have utilized the franchise tag to keep him around for the 2024 season.
Rapoport tweeted, “The #Panthers officially placed the tag on star edge Brian Burns, and his tag number is $24M fully for one season.”
Burns, a 2019 first-round pick, has spent each of his first five NFL seasons with the Panthers, recording 46 sacks during that time. He would have been an immediate answer for the Vikings pass rushing woes, but alas, he will not be headed to free agency.
Ravens DT Justin Madubuike
Another area on the defensive front that the Vikings could use some extra help at is the defensive tackle spot. Currently, only Dean Lowry, Harrison Phillips, and Jaquelin Roy are under contract for the Vikings at that position.
Justin Madubuike would have been a strong contender for a big contract from the Vikings or another DT-needy team, but it appears that he is another player destined for the franchise tag. Rapoport tweeted, “The #Ravens have now officially franchise tagged DT Justin Madubuike following his breakout season, and he’s locked in for $22.1M. The two sides have discussed a long-term deal.”
During the 2023 season, Madubuike recorded career highs in tackles (56), tackles for loss (12), and sacks (13).
Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Vikings fans around the world groaned when they found out that Antoine Winfield Jr. would be franchise tagged. Of course, his father, Winfield Sr., spent nine seasons in a Vikings uniform and made the Pro Bowl three times from 2008-2010.
Winfield Jr. has been equally productive, if not more so, during the early portion of his NFL career with the Buccaneers. The hard-hitting safety may have been a top option for the Vikings if they opted to part ways with Harrison Smith.
Instead, Winfield is destined to the franchise tag as Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted on Tuesday, “Buccaneers officially are placing their franchise tag on S Antoine Winfield Jr., but really as a placeholder until the two sides can hammer out a long-term deal that they continue to work on and want to get done, per sources.”
Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen
To nobody’s surprise, Josh Allen is set to remain with the Jacksonville Jaguars after a stellar season in 2023. He recorded 17.5 sacks this past year, ranking second in the NFL in that department. As a result, he is receiving the franchise tag and will not be headed to free agency.
Rapoport reported the news by tweeting, “The #Jaguars are expected to place the franchise tag on pass-rusher Josh Allen, and he’s on the books for one year and $24M, source said. No surprise. The team has expressed confidence in getting a long-term deal.”
There is a bit of an interesting tidbit behind this move, though. Placing Allen on the franchise tag officially means that WR Calvin Ridley will head to free agency this offseason after recording 76 receptions for 1016 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season back from reinstatement after his suspension.
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson
Again, a lockdown man cornerback would be a nice addition for Brian Flores’ defense in 2024, and for awhile, Jaylon Johnson seemed like a top option. Ever since he was given permission to seek a trade last fall, it seemed like Johnson was headed towards leaving Chicago.
However, that won’t be the case for now as the Bears have tagged him. Schefter tweeted, “Bears are placing their franchise tag on CB Jaylon Johnson, who the team still is working to re-sign to a long-term deal, per sources. Johnson’s franchise tag number is $19.8 million.”
Johnson recorded 10 passes defended and a career high four interceptions during the 2023 season on his way to his first Pro Bowl selection.
Colts WR Michael Pittman
The Vikings could look to the free agency market to add some additional WR talent behind Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, but that player certainly won’t be Michael Pittman.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweeted, “The #Colts are placing the franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr., per sources. The tag is worth $21.816M. The sides have been working on a long-term deal and those talks figure to continue.”
Pittman had a career year in 2023, recording career highs in receptions (109) and receiving yards (1152) while totaling four touchdowns.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.