NFL further extends franchise, transition tag window to March 16

The NFL and the NFL Players Association announced Tuesday that the window for teams to place franchise and transition tags on players is being further extended to March 16.

The deadline was originally scheduled for March 10. It was then pushed back to March 12 and now March 16 so that players can first vote on the proposed new collective bargaining agreement.

Under the new timeline, the league's free-agent negotiation window is set to open immediately after the tag deadline.

For the time being, clubs may use both tags this offseason because of a clause in the final year of the existing collective bargaining agreement. However, teams will be allowed only one tag if the NFL and NFLPA agree to a new CBA.

Players have until the end of March 14 to cast their ballots. The vote to approve or reject the owners' proposal is expected to be close.

The CBA will be ratified if a simple majority of the players who vote support it.