When is the last day to use the NFL franchise tag? Full timeline and predictions feat. Colts tagging Michael Pittman Jr.

The NFL franchise tag offers all teams an alternative way to potentially prevent one of their pending free agents from departing in the offseason. The franchise tag essentially locks a player to a one-year contract, rather than allowing them to become a free agent. The catch is that it can only be used on one player per team in each offseason.

Teams are not required to tag any of their pending free agents, but if they do so during the 2024 NFL offseason, they must make their decision by March 5th at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

All pending free agents who do not receive the franchise tag by this date will become free agents on March 13, unless they agree to a new contract with their current team before then.

2024 NFL Franchise Tag predictions

Tee Higgins

The Cincinnati Bengals announced that they will use their 2024 franchise tag on star wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is on an expiring rookie contract. Higgins desires a long-term extension, which he can continue to negotiate while he is tagged. The Bengals are also within their right to trade Higgins, regardless of being tagged, if they choose to go that route.

Until the March 5th deadline, several rumors will circulate about who will receive the tag from their present teams. L'Jarius Sneed is one example of this, as he is set to be tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Michal Pittman Jr. is another key player pending free agency this year, and while it seems likely that he will be tagged by the Indianapolis Colts, it hasn't happened quite yet.

With the deadline quickly approaching, here are some predictions for what each of the 32 teams will do with their NFL franchise tag in the 2024 offseason:

1. Arizona Cardinals: no tag
2. Atlanta Falcons: no tag
3. Baltimore Ravens: Justin Madubuike
4. Buffalo Bills: no tag
5. Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns
6. Chicago Bears: Jaylon Johnson
7. Cincinnati Bengals: Tee Higgins
8. Cleveland Browns: no tag
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith
10. Denver Broncos: no tag
11. Detroit Lions: no tag
12. Green Bay Packers: no tag
13. Houston Texans: no tag
14. Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman Jr.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen
16. Kansas City Chiefs: L'Jarius Sneed
17. Las Vegas Raiders: no tag
18. Los Angeles Chargers: no tag
19. Los Angeles Rams: Kevin Dotson
20. Miami Dolphins: Christian Wilkins
21. Minnesota Vikings: no tag
22. New England Patriots: Kyle Dugger
23. New Orleans Saints: no tag
24. New York Giants: Saquon Barkley
25. New York Jets: Jordan Whitehead
26. Philadelphia Eagles: no tag
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: no tag
28. San Francisco 49ers: no tag
29. Seattle Seahawks: no tag
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Antoine Winfield Jr.
31. Tennessee Titans: no tag
32. Washington Commanders: Kendall Fuller