6 set to play on NFL franchise tag as extension deadline passes
Six players will be playing under the NFL's franchise tag in 2021 after the deadline for them to ink multi-year deals passed Thursday.
Each team had until March 9 to assign the franchise tag to one pending free agent and until July 15 to negotiate an extension. The Carolina Panthers and offensive tackle Taylor Moton agreed to a reported four-year, $72-million contract before the deadline.
2021 franchise-tagged players
| Player | Team | 2021 salary |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Scherff | Washington | $18.04M |
| Allen Robinson | Bears | $17.88M |
| Chris Godwin | Buccaneers | $15.98M |
| Cam Robinson | Jaguars | $13.75M |
| Marcus Williams | Saints | $10.61M |
| Marcus Maye | Jets | $10.61M |
The franchise tag results in a guaranteed one-year contract worth no less than the average of the top-five salaries at a player's position. Brandon Scherff received the tag for the second straight year, so he'll make 120% of his previous salary.
The New York Giants and Denver Broncos also used the franchise tag, but they signed Leonard Williams and Justin Simmons, respectively, to extensions long before the deadline.
Players aren't required to sign their franchise-tag contract, but they can't join the active roster until inking the deal. Since they're not under contract before agreeing to the pact, a player can stay away from his club without facing fines or any other form of discipline.
Training camps get underway across the league in late July.