NFL’s Franchise Tag Drama Unfolds with Tee Higgins and Sam Darnold Among the Golden Five
As the NFL’s 2025 free agency looms on the horizon, the game of franchise tags kicks off, adding an extra layer of suspense and anticipation to the football landscape. From Tuesday, Feb. 18 to Tuesday, March 4, teams across the league will be carefully weighing their options, deciding which prized unrestricted free agents they must shield from the open market.
The Franchise Tag: A Strategic Move
The franchise tag serves as a strategic maneuver, transforming a potential free agent’s journey from testing the market for the best long-term deal to being offered a one-year, all-guaranteed contract. This tender can be exclusive, in most cases, or non-exclusive, providing a player with a lucrative short-term security net. The primary goal behind the tag is to provide a window for the player and their current team to negotiate a new contract, ideally before the looming deadlines.
Although often aimed at retaining a team’s top-tier and high-cost free agents, the franchise tag’s one-year salary values can favor the team, especially based on the player’s specific position and impact on the field.
Unveiling the Top Contenders for the Franchise Tag in 2025
Among the pool of potential franchise tag candidates for the upcoming season, a select group of players stands out as prime contenders for this strategic maneuver. Notable names like Tee Higgins and Sam Darnold headline this elite group, representing the golden five poised for the franchise tag.
Stay tuned as the drama unfolds and teams make critical decisions in securing their key assets for the season ahead.
