Josh Jacobs, Evan Engram join Lamar Jackson in franchise tag holdout

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs are reportedly not signing their teams’ franchise tag deals, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Both offensive weapons are apparently content to wait it out until long-term deals find their way onto the table.

NFL teams’ offseason workout programs may begin on Monday but without signatures on their current one-year deals, both are ineligible to participate.

After the franchise tagging deadline passed, there were five players with tag designations for 2023. Amongst the group including Saquon Barkley, Engram, Lamar Jackson and Jacobs, only Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard has inked so far.

Washington also placed a tag on Daron Payne, however, he ended up signing a long-term deal instead for four years, $90 million.

Barkley and Jackson have also made it clear that they intend to hold out for the contracts with more security beyond the 2023 season.

Engram had 73 receptions for 766 yards and four touchdowns in 2022 for Jacksonville. He helped the Jaguars make the playoffs and was one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets. Prior to joining the Jaguars, Evan Engram played with the New York Giants from 2017-2021. In 2020, the former Ole Miss standout was named to the Pro Bowl.

Jacobs, a former Alabama star, went No. 24 overall in the 2019 NFL draft. He made an immediate impact on the Raiders his rookie season, amassing 1,150 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Jacobs would pass the 1,000-yard mark in three out of his four NFL seasons thus far, including leading the league in rushing this past season. He had 1,653 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns over the 2022 season.

Engram is expected to make $11.345 million in 2023 on the franchise tag. The running back number for Jacobs is slightly lower at $10.1 million.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially ran out, making those players free agents. There were 722 players due to hit free agency in 2023.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7.

The legal negotiation period spanned from March 13 through March 15. The new year marked the beginning of all trades going official per the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.

On April 17, teams may begin offseason workout programs with players signed on the 2023 roster.

The deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with 2023 draft-eligible players at club facilities is on April 19. Teams can still have contact with draft prospects off campus until the draft begins on April 27.