The Green Bay Packers did not use the franchise tag by Tuesday’s deadline, as expected. The team has 12 unrestricted free agents entering the new league year but zero legitimate options for the franchise tag.
The Packers last used the tag on receiver Davante Adams, who was then traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. The team’s complete history with the tag can be viewed here.
Nine players with expiring contracts did receive tags around the NFL before the deadline.
Here are all the players who were tagged Tuesday (or before):
Edge rusher Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Edge rusher Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs
Wide receiver Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts
Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
Wide receiver Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Safety Kyle Dugger, New England Patriots (transition tag)
The Packers, who might be active in free agency, can negotiate with all nine players if they wish. But there is a cost. The eight players not counting Dugger are on the non-exclusive tag, which means the tagging team can either match an offer or receive two first-round picks in return from the offering team — creating a huge barrier.
More importantly, who wasn’t tagged?
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney, one of the best safeties in football a year ago, didn’t receive a tag. He’ll be a free agent and a possible target for the Packers, who desperately need an impact safety. McKinney is a perfect fit for what Jeff Hafley wants in a post safety, and his all-around ability — both against the run and pass — could help transform the defense in Year 1 of the Hafley era. But he’ll have plenty of suitors and won’t be cheap.
The Giants also passed on the tag for running back Saquon Barkley, and the Miami Dolphins did not use the tag on defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The same goes for Josh Jacobs and the Raiders.
PFF’s full free agent rankings — post tag deadline — can be found here.
