The Tuesday before free agency was nothing short of chaotic and hectic, with many teams finally using their franchise tags on their star players. These franchise tags took many big-name free agents out of the market, and some tags leaving more questions than answers about what teams will be doing with other star players.

Chicago Bears: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson

The Chicago Bears franchise tagged their rising star cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a non-exclusive franchise tag for a 19.8-million-dollar salary for the 2024 season. The Bears and Johnson were unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal that would have kept Johnson in Chicago for the foreseeable future. This franchise tag does not mean that Johnson is guaranteed to play in Chicago next season with non-exclusive tags other teams can still offer Johnson a long-term contract, but the Bears (the player’s original team) still has an opportunity to match the offer given to the player. Johnson was one of the top corners in the league last year finishing with 36 total tackles, a forced fumble and four interceptions.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive End Josh Allen

The Jaguars tagged their star pass rusher Josh Allen with a non-exclusive tag which will give him a salary of 24-million-dollars in 2024. Allen had his best season statistically putting up 17.5 sacks, 66 total tackles and two forced fumbles in his 2023 campaign. Allen was a top free agent heading into the offseason and this move shows that the Jaguars plan to sign him long-term and may mean a parting of ways for wide receiver Calvin Ridley from the team. The Jaguars had a decision to make with either franchise tagging Ridley or Allen, and they decided to go with Allen as they slowly build up their new look “Sacksonville” like defense. Allen is still available to offers from other teams being tagged with the same non-exclusive tag just like Jaylon Johnson.

Baltimore Ravens: Defensive Tackle Justin Madubuike

The Baltimore Ravens decided to franchise tag their sacks leader from this past season keeping together their strong defense intact for the upcoming season. Madubuike was the second-best defensive tackle hitting free agency this year behind the Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. Madubuike broke out in 2023, putting up 13 sacks, 56 total tackles and two forced fumbles. The Ravens put Madubuike on an exclusive franchise tag meaning he is not open to offers from other teams, but the tag of $22,110,200 for the 2024 season puts the Ravens over the cap space, and they must make an additional 13 million dollars to be under the league maximum. The Ravens are a team that have a lot of their top defensive players coming up on contract extensions like linebacker Patrick Queen, safety Kyle Hamiliton and linebacker Odafe Oweh.

Indianapolis Colts: Wide Receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

The Colts decided to put their top wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on a nonexclusive tag after the two sides could not reach an agreement before the deadline. The franchise tag is worth 21.8-million-dollars, and it is the first time that the Colts have used their franchise tag since 2013 when they placed punter Pat McAfee on one. Pittman is one of the best young receivers in the league, putting up 1,152 yards on 109 targets with four touchdowns last season. Pittman slowly became the Colts’ number one receiver after their former number one T.Y. Hilton’s production declined to him becoming older. The Colts and Pittman will most likely get a long-term deal done before the start of the 2024 season, but other teams will still be able to offer Pittman a contract.

Kansas City Chiefs: Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed

The Chiefs made the decision to franchise tag their top cornerback L’Jarius Sneed over their star defensive tackle Chris Jones. The franchise tag of 19.802-million-dollars may in turn create a situation where the Chiefs can’t resign Jones on a long-term deal. The Chiefs may also tag-and-trade Sneed to still get some value out of him that would come back and help the team with either draft picks or players. Sneed didn’t put up massive statistics this year but was one of the best lockdown corners in the league, with some teams not even throwing to his side of the field for entire games. If the Chiefs decide to trade Sneed, that will then open the door to sign Chris Jones to a long-term deal instead, which may be the route the Chiefs take considering the depth they have behind Sneed in their cornerback room.

 Carolina Panthers: Linebacker Brian Burns

The Panthers are hoping to sign Burns to a long-term deal this offseason and used the franchise tag to allow them more time to negotiate the contract with Burns and his agent. The franchise tag of 24-million-dollars is a steep price to pay, but the Panthers will most likely have to overpay Burns to keep him in Carolina for an extended period of time. The Panthers are entering a long rebuild and having a young superstar pass rusher like Brian Burns as a building piece for a defense that needs a clear identity. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers and Burns can reach a final deal with it all depending on Burns’ attitude of wanting to stay in Carolina or not.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

The Buccaneers placed Winfield on a 17.1-million-dollar franchise tag with him being one of their cornerstones to their defense. Winfield is a diverse safety with the ability to play in multiple positions and formations like both safety spots and playing in the nickel. Winfield finished the season with 122 total tackles, six sacks, six forced fumbles and three interceptions. While the Buccaneers defense has slowly been getting older, young stars like defensive tackle Vita Vea, edge rusher Yaya Diaby and Winfield Jr are all important pieces the Bucs hope to build around. The Bucs are hoping to reset the safety market with the type of long-term deal they are prepared to give Winfield.

New England Patriots: Safety Kyle Dugger

Kyle Dugger has become the sixth NFL player in the last 15 years to be placed on a transition tag. A transition tag is different from a franchise tag in the way that a franchise tag’s salary is determined by the average of the top five highest paid players at the position while a transition tag’s salary is determined by the average of the top 10 highest paid players at the position. The transition tag salary is set at 13.8-million-dollars for the 2024 season. Dugger has been one of the better safeties in the league since he entered back in 2020 and has been underrated by playing on a very bad Patriots team. Dugger is a jack of all trades for the Patriots and fits their defense better than any other team in the league, and the Patriots are hoping to sign him to a long-term deal this offseason. A new regime has taken over in New England under Jerod Mayo, and they decided to transition tag Dugger over their offensive lineman Mike Onwenu.