Kansas City Chiefs reportedly not placing franchise tag on Orlando Brown

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs will not be franchise-tagging offensive lineman Orlando Brown this offseason.

Brown was traded to the Chiefs from the Baltimore Ravens in April of 2021, and will become an unrestricted free agent next Monday, March 13. This gives Kansas City one week to negotiate a long-term deal with Brown, or else he will be able to freely negotiate a deal with other teams.

Placing the franchise tag on Brown would have given him a nearly $20 million deal, as the four-time Pro Bowler helped protect MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes on their way to a Super Bowl LVII win in February versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

After a successful 2021 season of protecting Mahomes’ blindside, the Chiefs and Brown could not agree on a long-term deal, resulting in him receiving the franchise tag last offseason. Kansas City reportedly offered Brown a six-year extension worth up to $139 million, but did not see eye to eye on the deal. And this offseason, if Brown does hit free agency, he’d likely sign a large deal as one of the highest-profile players on the market.

Kansas City General Manager Brett Veach was asked at the NFL Combine about Brown’s contract negations and the possibility of franchising tagging him saying, “I mean it’s an option. 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.”

Veach continued, “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.”

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by 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.