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All Lions: Brad Holmes Not Likely to Use Franchise Tag

Could Lions opt not to use franchise tag once again?

John Maakaron

In this story:

The Detroit Lions are not expected to use the franchise tag when the window to do so opens Tuesday. 

Detroit general manager Brad Holmes is facing a number of big decisions regarding players who are set to be free agents, but likely won't designate a single player with the franchise tag. The Detroit Free Press reported that the Lions aren't expected to use the tag this offseason. 

Two starters on the offensive line, Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson, were potential candidates. 

Of the two linemen, Glasgow is perhaps the more deserving recipient of the franchise tag. The 31-year-old is coming off the best Pro Football Focus-graded season of his career (a 75.1 overall mark and an 82.1 run-blocking grade). Meanwhile, he logged snaps at three different positions for the first time as an NFL player (left guard, center and right guard). 

Per OverTheCap, the projected salary attached to using the tag on an offensive lineman is $21.72 million. That figure is well above each player's 2023 salary. 

Detroit hasn't utilized the franchise tag since doing so with former defensive end Ziggy Ansah in 2018. Teams have until March 5 to use the franchise or transition tag on players within their organization. 

Contract Status of Detroit Lions' Wide Receivers in 2024

Here is a look at the other top storylines surrounding the Detroit Lions on Feb. 19.

  • Tim Twentyman, senior writer for DetroitLions.com, conducted a mock draft in which the Lions select Missouri EDGE Darius Robinson with their first-round pick (No. 29 overall).
  • Woodward Sports explores whether Holmes and the Lions can keep up their "elite" drafting ability. 
  • Lions Wire projects what a contract extension will potentially look like for defensive lineman Alim McNeill.  
  • The Detroit News examines the potential structure of a contract extension for All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
  • The Lions made NFL.com's list of the eight NFL teams with the "biggest Super Bowl windows" at this present moment.   
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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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