NFL Franchise Tag Contract Statuses

With the July 15th deadline for teams to extend their tagged players approaching, we’ll assess where things stand with each, including projected multi-year contracts for those still in need.

Already Extended

Cam Robinson (OT, JAX)

The Jaguars left tackle was offered a second franchise in February that valued at $16.6M. Jacksonville bumped that out to 3 years, $54M in April, dropping the 2022 cap hit by $9M, while increasing his cash this year up to $17.75M. It’s a 2 year, $35M contract practically speaking.

Davante Adams (WR, GB/LV)

Adams’ $20.1M franchise tag offer lasted 9 days, as the Packers shipped their star WR to Vegas, who in turn signed the 29-year-old to a 5 year, $140M extension. Adams will now see $23.35M in 2022, and $67.5M through 2024. 

Chris Godwin (WR, TB)

The Bucs didn’t wait around too long to lock in one of Tom Brady’s favorite weapons, extending Godwin out of his $19.1M tag, into a 3 year, $60M contract with $20M cash in 2022, and $40M fully guaranteed through 2023.

David Njoku (TE, CLE)

Njoku finally turned a corner through the second half of 2021, and now seems to have a real place in Cleveland’s offensive mindset. That prompted the Browns to extend him out of the $10.9M tag, into a 4 year, $54.75M contract, including $12.5M cash in 2022. It’s a 3 year, $39.5M deal for practical purposes.

Still on the Tag

Dalton Schultz (TE, DAL)

The Cowboys and their tight end remain far apart on a multi-year extension, putting Schultz in line to play out the $10.9M franchise tag he signed in March. The 25-year-old projects to a 4 year, $58M contract in our system, which would make him the 2nd highest average paid tight end in football.

Mike Gesicki (TE, MIA)

Like Schultz, Gesicki may be asked to play out 2022 on the $10.9M tag, as the Dolphins have pumped over $500M in new contracts to their roster. With a cap set to soar in 2023, and Gesicki now surrounded by a lot of offensive talent, playing the long game could very much benefit him financially, though he already projects to a 4 year, $57M deal in our system currently. 

Orlando Brown Jr. (OT, KC)

The Chiefs gave up a lot of draft capital in 2021 to acquire their new left tackle, but there doesn’t appear to be too much rush in locking him in long-term this summer. The two sides have been negotiating, but anything below a $100M over 5 years likely isn’t even worth talking about here. Brown projects to a 5 year, $112M contract in our system. There’s a growing sense that he’ll play 2022 on the $16.6M franchise tag.

Jessie Bates III (S, CIN)

Of all the unsigned franchise tag players on this list, Bates seems the least likely to find a worthy extension offer over the next two weeks. The safety market took a big step forward with deals of $17.6M per year for Jamal Adams, & $18.4M per year to Minkah Fitzpatrick. Bates projects around the $16M mark, putting him in line for 5 years, $80M. The $12.9M safety tag is certainly tenable for Cincinnati from a cap/cash standpoint, but with so many rookie deals dispersed across the roster, it should be a priority to lock in their All-Pro defensive back.