The Kansas City Chiefs will not be placing the franchise tag on LT Orlando Brown Jr. according to multiple reports from NFL Media.
As first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs are not planning to place the franchise tag on Brown Jr. ahead of Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. This is a departure from expectations as many believed that Brown Jr. would receive the franchise tag for a second consecutive season. This also means that if the team is unable to reach a long-term deal with Brown Jr. ahead of the start of the legal tampering period, he could end up leaving in free agency.
Source: The #Chiefs are not tagging OT Orlando Brown.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2023
The #Chiefs don't plan to use a second franchise tag on LT Orlando Brown Jr., per source.
That means Kansas City has until Monday to work out a long-term deal with Brown, or else he'll be free to negotiate with other teams.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2023
Last week at the NFL’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Chiefs GM Brett Veach commented on using the franchise tag and negotiations with Orlando Brown Jr. and his representation.
“I mean it’s an option,” Veach said. “We went through this path last year. As always, it’s more beneficial to us to get something done long-term. That’s why this season is so important to us. Really, this is the start. We’ll have a lot of dialogue, as you know. The combine is great to come in and check out the new college talent, but a lot of the time here is spent talking with the agents of our players to start exchanging information. Unlike last year, we at least have a runway to work with. We’ve gotten to know his team a little bit better, so we’re excited to get that process started here and get something figured out.”
In the 2022 NFL offseason, the team was waiting for Brown Jr. to sign an agent and they ran out of time to negotiate. They did reportedly offer a six-year extension worth up to $139 million, but the two sides were far apart on guaranteed money. The fact that the team is not using the franchise tag probably means one of two things. First, they’re closer to a long-term extension than previously thought. Second, they’re comfortable with their tackle situation as it relates to free agency and the 2023 NFL draft.
Technically, the deadline to get a long-term deal done with Brown Jr. is the start of the new league year at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 15. If he’s not signed by Monday, March 13 other teams will be permitted to contact his agent and negotiate during the legal tampering period.
We’ll see if the two sides can get anything done.
