No Franchise Tags for Tennessee Titans; Which NFL Free Agents Are Likely Off the Market?

NFL teams had until Tuesday to apply the franchise tag to a player with an expiring contract. No Tennessee Titans will be tagged.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will not apply the franchise tag to any of their pending free agents, a source with the team said Tuesday. 

NFL teams had until 3 p.m. CT Tuesday to apply the franchise tag. From NFL.com: The most commonly used non-exclusive franchise tag "is a one-year tender of the average of the top five salaries at the player's position over the last five years, or 120 percent of his previous salary, whichever is greater. The tagged player can negotiate with other teams, but his current team has the right to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation if he signs with another club."

Which means pending free-agent receiver Tee Higgins, who has been tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals, would cost the Titans dearly and would seem an unlikely option when free agency begins next week..

Starting March 11, NFL teams are allowed to negotiate with free agents. Starting March 13, teams can sign free agents. 

Tagged players

• Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
• Michael Pittman, WR, Indianapolis Colts
• Brian Burns, LB, Carolina Panthers
• L'Jarius Sneed, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
• Josh Allen, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
• Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore Ravens
• Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Kyle Dugger, S, New England Patriots

The Patriots put a "transition" tag on Dugger. Again from NFL.com: "The transition tag is a one-year tender offer for the average of the top 10 salaries at the position -- as opposed to the top five for the franchise tag. It guarantees the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer the player might receive from another club. The tagging team is awarded no compensation if it chooses not to match a deal."

Values by position

• Quarterback: $38.301 million
• Running back: $11.951 million
• Wide receiver: $21.816 million
• Tight end: $12.693 million
• Offensive line: $20.985 million
• Defensive line: $21.324 million
  
• Linebacker: $24.007 million
• Cornerback: $19.802 million
• Safety: $17.123 million
• Punter/kicker: $5.984 million

Related Titans stories

• AARON BREWER? YES OR NO: With NFL free agency arriving March 11, the Tennessee Titans have decisions to make about 24 pending free agents on their roster. One is starting center Aaron Brewer. CLICK HERE
• 5 PROSPECTS WORTH A LOOK: Several prospects stood out at the 2024 NFL Combine. A few players — such as Texas receiver Xavier Worthy and Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul — might fit well with Tennessee. CLICK HERE