When the Chiefs Super Bowl parade was completed, the NFL world started to focus on 2024 entirely and the critical offseason that awaits.
As teams around the league prepare for the NFL scouting combine, the franchise tag window opens on Tuesday and closes on March 5.
Any unrestricted free agent not tagged in that period will be able to sign with any suitor when the new league year and free agency opens on March 13. (The negotiating period, when teams can reach out to agents of potential free agents to start talks, begins March 11.)
Lamar Jackson was among six players tagged last year, with two, including defensive tackle Daron Payne (Giants) and tight end Evan Engram (Jaguars) signing long-term extensions.
The 2024 salary cap hasn’t been set yet, but it’s expected to land north of $240 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Baltimore has a long history of tagging players and getting a deal done at a later date. They have done so with five of their previous seven franchise-tagged players.
With the new league year fast approaching and Justin Madubuike or Patrick Queen likely candidates for the designation, we’re looking at the Ravens’ history with the franchise tag.
Lamar Jackson --2023
Jackson was the eighth player and first quarterback to get the franchise tag from the Ravens.
The only players who got tagged and didn’t re-sign with the Ravens were offensive lineman Wally Williams (1998) and outside linebacker Matthew Judon (2020).
The non-exclusive tag came with a 2023 salary of $32.4 million, which was about 13 million less than the exclusive tag would have cost.
Last May, Jackson and Ravens GM Eric DeCosta eventually agreed on a five-year extension worth $260 million, with $185 million of his contract guaranteed.
Matthew Judon --2020
Baltimore initially placed the franchise tag on Judon in 2020, and the pass rusher played the year out before making a big move.
The Ravens decided the price for Judon was too hefty and let him enter the free-agent market.
Judon signed a four-year, $56 million deal, with $32 million guaranteed, with the New England Patriots in March 2021.
Justin Tucker-- 2016
Justin Tucker was assigned the franchise tag in 2016 and signed his tender a short time later. But before the season began, the two sides agreed to a four-year contract.
Ray Rice--2016
Baltimore placed the tag on RB Ray Rice in March 2012 after he posted a career-best 1,364 yards in 2011. Rice signed a five-year, $40 million extension that July.
Haloti Ngata--2011
The Ravens used the franchise tag on DT Haloti Ngata before the 2011 season following back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Ngata ultimately signed a five-year contract with the team in September 2011.
Terrell Suggs --2008/2009
After posting a career-low five sacks in 2007, Suggs was franchised and bounced back with eight sacks and two interceptions in 2008.
After getting tagged again, Suggs signed a six-year, $63 million deal that July.
Chris McAllister --2003/2004
McAlister was tagged by the Ravens in 2003. After earning All-Pro honors, the cornerback and the team were not able to come to terms on a new contract before the 2004 season, leading to McAlister being tagged again. He signed a long-term contract in October 2004 on his way to another Pro Bowl berth.
Wally Williams --1998
The Ravens applied the tag to offensive lineman Wally Williams in 1998. He played under the tag for the 1998 season, and then left for the New Orleans Saints in 1999.
