Players To Spend Season On Franchise Tag Since 2015

The Chiefs and Trey Smith have just less than 48 hours to agree on a long-term extension; otherwise, the Pro Bowl guard will play on the franchise tag and negotiations will be tabled until 2026. That is 2025’s only tag situation as the July 15 deadline approaches.

Over the previous 10 offseasons, 77 players received the franchise tag. Many of those signed extensions before the midsummer deadline. Here are the players who did not and ended up playing the season for the tag price:

2015

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (Giants): $3MM

Pierre-Paul’s infamous fireworks accident led to Giants rescinding $14.8MM tag, setting up revised agreement

2016

Eric Berry, S (Chiefs): $10.81MM
Kirk Cousins, QB (Washington): $19.95MM
Alshon Jeffery, WR (Bears): $14.6MM
Trumaine Johnson, CB (Rams): $13.95MM

2017

Le’Veon Bell, RB (Steelers): $12.12MM
Kirk Cousins, QB (Washington): $22.94MM
Trumaine Johnson, CB (Rams): $16.74MM

2018

Ziggy Ansah, DE (Lions): $17.14MM
Le’Veon Bell, RB (Steelers): $14.54MM
Lamarcus Joyner, S (Rams): $11.29MM
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE (Cowboys): $17.14MM

Bell did not collect any money on his 2018 tag, being the 21st century’s lone franchise-tagged player to skip season

2019

Jadeveon Clowney, LB (Seahawks): $15MM

Texans applied $15.9MM linebacker tag on Clowney, trading him to Seahawks in August 2019; edge rusher agreed to salary reduction upon being dealt

2020

Shaquil Barrett, LB (Buccaneers): $15.83MM
Bud Dupree, LB (Steelers): $15.83MM
A.J. Green, WR (Bengals): $17.97MM
Anthony Harris, S (Vikings): $11.44MM
Hunter Henry, TE (Chargers): $10.61MM
Matt Judon, DE/LB (Ravens): $16.81MM
Yannick Ngakoue, LB (Vikings/Ravens): $12MM
Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $31.41MM
Brandon Scherff, G (Washington): $15MM
Justin Simmons, S (Broncos): $11.44MM
Joe Thuney, G (Patriots): $14.78MM
Leonard Williams, DT (Giants): $16.13MM

Ravens, Judon agreed on compromise between defensive end, linebacker tag prices. Ngakoue agreed to salary reduction to facilitate trade from Jaguars. Vikings traded edge rusher to Ravens before 2020 deadline. Prescott received exclusive franchise tag from Cowboys.