February 20, 2024 2 MIN READ

Tag Decisions

NFL Roundup: Panthers Face Decision on Burns; All-Pro Retires; Agholor Re-Signs with Baltimore

by Benjamin Paul

Teams are officially able to begin placing franchise tags on pending free agents.

The Carolina Panthers face one of these decisions with Brian Burns.

GETTY IMAGES: Panthers Pro Bowl Edge Brian Burns could receive a franchise tag.

Per ESPN, Burns was previously seeking an extension of almost $30 million per year. He and the Panthers did not come to an agreement, leaving the Pro Bowl edge rusher a free agent following the conclusion of the 2023 season.

The 25-year-old has 46 sacks in his five seasons with the team as one of the most consistent pass rushers in the league.

Tagging Burns would cost the Panthers around $23 million but give them time to work out a long-term extension.

Calling It Quits

Special teams ace Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots is retiring after a 16-year career.

A message from Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/diVYMtAapu

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 20, 2024

The 38-year-old was the longest active tenured Patriot, being selected in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Spending most of his career as a gunner, Slater was the gold standard for the NFL in special teams coverage. His former head coach Bill Belichick went as far as to call him the best to ever do it at his position.

While special teamers in the Hall of Fame are almost non-existent, Slater has certainly built a worthy resume with three Super Bowl titles, eight All Pro selections, and 10 Pro Bowls.

Agholor Re-Signs

Former Eagle Super Bowl champion Nelson Agholor is returning to the Baltimore Ravens for his second season with the team.

Nelly puts the pen to paper!! 🔏 pic.twitter.com/vK1E1L5Z7I

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 18, 2024

The 30-year-old wide receiver and former 2015 first round draft pick for the Philadelphia Eagles signed a one-year extension after recording 381 yards and four touchdowns playing for MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2023.

Agholor was the only Raven out of five to re-sign before the void year deadline, in which teams had to agree to an extension with a player that has a void year on their contract or let them hit free agency with dead money hitting their salary cap.

With the deadline passing, right guard Kevin Zeitler, running back Gus Edwards, and safety Geno Stone are all hitting the open market after key contributions to a Ravens team that finished with a 13-4 record and the number one seed in the AFC.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.