2023 NFL Franchise Tag Deadline: Which players affected, projected outcome

The franchise tag deadline hits the NFL Monday afternoon. We’ve got the four players you need to watch and what may happen if any of them passes on their offers.

First, know that this is nearly an exclusive issue with running backs. Three of the four are tailbacks — Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard. None has reached a long-term deal after the teams placed a franchise tag on them in March. The fourth is a tight end Evan Engram.

The teams and players have until 4 p.m. Eastern, Monday, to come to a decision. The NFL franchise tag deadline normally is on July 15th. But since the 15th falls on a Saturday this year, the league extended the cut off to Monday. Any tagged player who doesn’t sign a multiyear contract by mid-afternoon, Monday, will be required to play the season under the one-year tag. If not, the player forfeits the tag’s guaranteed salary and can sit out the season.

Cowboy tailback Tony Pollard is the easy one on the four-person list. The Cowboys offered him the $10.1 fully guaranteed, one-year deal. And Pollard isn’t seeking a long-term contract. So he’ll take the money. Pollard broke his ankle in a playoff loss to the 49ers. Although he’s healthy now, he’s probably in better position for a more lucrative package if he puts up big numbers this fall. Meanwhile, the Cowboys released Ezekiel Elliott for cap reasons. No doubt, it’s Pollard’s show.

But the situations with Barkley and Jacobs are far more complicated. Barkley rejected a long-term deal offered by the Giants. Then management took the contract off the table. The No. 2 pick of the 2018 draft hasn’t participated in any OTAs or the Giants minicamp. Rather, he’s worked out in Phoenix, posting exercise videos to show he’s in excellent shape for a return. Sides still are far apart as the NFL franchise tag deadline counts down. Barkley reportedly has told the Giants that if he doesn’t get the contract he wants, he could at least sit out the season opener against the Cowboys. Barkley wants at least $14 million a year — the Giants offered $13 million.

Meanwhile, Jacobs isn’t happy with the Raiders. He led the NFL in rushing last year, so the former first-rounder from Alabama would like to get paid. Jacobs has grumbled about a holdout for the entire season. If he and the Raiders don’t agree to something by Monday, the back could force Vegas to make a trade.

Then there’s Engram. His franchise tag is worth $11.3 million this season and he probably will say yes by the deadline if the Jaguars don’t come up with a long-term deal. There’s not much anxiety here. Engram could take the fully guaranteed salary and test the market again in 2024.