Packers: Deadline to use franchise tag is this week
The deadline to use the franchise tag is later this week.
It’s unlikely the Green Bay Packers will use the franchise tag before this week’s deadline, but they should have a close eye on which players are tagged by other teams.
The Packers have only re-signed one of their unrestricted free agents for 2020 — Mason Crosby — but there aren’t any obvious candidates for the franchise tag this offseason.
Teams will have until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 12 to use the franchise tag. The deadline is two days later than originally scheduled.
The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to revise the franchise and transition tag deadlines, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Tags can now be applied Feb. 27 through March 12, two days later than originally planned.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 23, 2020
Even if the Packers don’t use the tag, there should be interest in seeing which other players are tagged and who will become available when free agency begins next week.
Many of the best players set to hit free agency will be tagged. For example, the Packers can forget about signing star defensive lineman Chris Jones, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting that the Kansas City Chiefs will franchise tag the Pro Bowler.
The Packers could be in the market for a tight end when free agency begins, but Rapoport also reported that the Los Angeles Chargers are “likely” to franchise tag Hunter Henry if a long-term deal can’t be agreed on. Henry, when healthy, is one of the best tight ends in football.
The Dallas Cowboys have a much tougher decision to make. Dak Prescott will likely be their top choice for the franchise tag, which could mean star wide receiver Amari Cooper hits free agency. The Packers could struggle to afford Cooper’s deal considering there should be huge interest around the league, but for now, we can at least imagine the possibility of a Cooper-Davante Adams partnership at wide receiver.
We’ll learn a lot more about which players are likely to be available in free agency following the deadline this week, even if it’s highly unlikely the Packers will use the franchise tag.