Earlier than NFL free company begins, groups are allowed to use franchise tags to gamers starting Feb. 21 by March 7 to offer them a way of what they should do earlier than the league 12 months begins on March 15.
The franchise tag is a designation that groups can apply to a participant scheduled to develop into an unrestricted free agent, and it binds the participant to the workforce for one season. Franchise tag figures are primarily based on the highest 5 salaries at every place.
The NFL has instructed its 32 groups that the 2023 wage cap shall be a file $224.8 million, up from $208.2 million final 12 months.
Final season, eight gamers had been franchise-tagged. Amongst them was huge receiver Davante Adams, whom the Inexperienced Bay Packers tagged earlier than ultimately buying and selling him to the Las Vegas Raiders after he instructed Inexperienced Bay he wouldn’t play beneath the tag.
This is a take a look at gamers who’ve been tagged, the explanations they had been and the tag determine:
Franchise tag wage: $18.937 million
Profession highlights: Payne recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022, third amongst defensive tackles. He was second amongst all tackles with 21 tackles for a loss. Payne was named a Professional Bowl alternate this season, ultimately being added to the sport. Payne, who has began 75 video games, has 26 profession sacks.
Why he was tagged: Washington doesn’t wish to break up arguably the NFL’s greatest defensive sort out tandem. Jonathan Allen has made two consecutive Professional Bowls. Washington signed Allen to an extension in 2021 and, earlier than this season, was reluctant to offer Payne an analogous deal primarily based on previous efficiency. However then Payne ascended. Washington will preserve negotiating with him.
What he brings: Energy and quickness off the ball. Washington makes use of a one-gap scheme so Payne’s capacity to rapidly shoot gaps makes him harmful. Earlier than final season, although, he was thought-about a run-stopper. He may play over the middle after they go to an odd entrance. He is additionally sturdy: Payne hasn’t missed a recreation the previous three seasons.
