Tag, They’re It!

The franchise tag deadline has passed with the following players receiving one:

Baltimore Ravens DT Justin Madubuike (Non-Exclusive)

Carolina Panthers EDGE Brian Burns

Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson (Non-Exclusive)

Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (Non-Exclusive) 

Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen

Kansas City Chiefs: CB L’Jarius Sneed (Non-Exclusive)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr.

Several received the non-exclusive version of the tag that allows for negotiation with other teams. If the free agent agrees to terms with another team, the offer can either be matched or declined which would give the team that loses their star two first round picks.

Additionally, the New England Patriots placed the rarely-used transition tag on safety Kyle Duggar, allowing them to match any offer. 

Seattle Shakeup

The Seattle Seahawks roster overhaul on both sides of the ball is beginning to take shape.

Starting safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs as well as tight end Will Dissly being released ahead of free agency.

We have released Jamal Adams, Will Dissly, and Quandre Diggs. pic.twitter.com/Isa9GddEtq

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 5, 2024

Diggs joined Seattle in the middle of the 2019 season, making three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2020-22.

Adams was acquired for two first round picks prior to the 2020 season with the two expected to form one of the top safety duos in the NFL. But injuries to the 28-year-old Adams got in the way, only playing in 10 total games over the last two seasons.

Now safety becomes a major need for new Head Coach Mike Macdonald, who was the coordinator for a Baltimore Ravens defense that was the league’s best in part thanks to elite play from Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, and Geno Stone. 

Bye Baker

The Miami Dolphins, for now, are reportedly releasing ILB Jerome Baker.

Dolphins are releasing starting linebacker Jerome Baker, per source. The two sides discussed a restructured contract, but couldn’t reach an agreement. The Dolphins left the door open to him coming back if he chooses. pic.twitter.com/PApltNdj0a

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2024

Baker has helped man the middle of the Dolphins since being drafted in the third round in 2018 and has recorded 90+ tackles in four of his six seasons.

In 2023, Baker racked up 78 tackles, missing four games due to injury. 

At 27-years-old, Baker will have his share of suitors in free agency. The Philadelphia Eagles have a major need at linebacker and happen to have his previous coordinator in Vic Fangio.

Williams Break Up

Darious Williams becomes the latest starting cornerback to hit the open market, per NFL Network.

The #Jaguars are planning to release CB Darious Williams, source said, in a move to create cap space. He had a $10.5M cap hit. He had 9 passes defended and four INTs last year.

This creates more room to franchise tag star pass-rusher Josh Allen.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2024

Williams is coming off a season in which he placed second in the NFL in pass deflections with 19 and added four interceptions for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He leads the entire NFL with 35 pass breakups over the last two seasons.

Now 30-years-old, the Jaguars will look to get younger under new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielson. 

But Williams, who won the Super Bowl as a starting cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season, will surely get looks in free agency.

Re-Signings

The Houston Texans and Detroit Lions are reportedly bringing back key players before the start of free agency.

Sources: The #Texans have agreed to terms on a deal to keep TE Dalton Schultz in Houston. He gets a 3-year, $36M new contract with $23.5M fully guaranteed at signing. Schultz is a key weapon for CJ Stroud.
 
The deal was done by TE guru and agent @SteveCaric of @Wass_Football. pic.twitter.com/DmvAEi43jm

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2024

Lions are re-signing CB Emmanuel Moseley to a one-year deal before he can enter free agency, per source. Moseley injured his ACL during his first game for Detroit in Week 5 vs. the Carolina Panthers, one year after he had torn his other ACL. But the Lions are bringing him back.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2024

 

Signing a one-year deal in the spring of 2023, the tight end Schultz was a reliable target for C.J. Stroud for a Texans offense that blew past expectations all the way into the divisional round of the playoffs. 

Schultz finished the year third on the team with 635 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

For the Lions, Moseley is getting a second chance after re-tearing his ACL in after just two snaps in Week 5, his only playing time of the season.

But Detroit’s CB room room is one of the thinnest in the league with only Cam Sutton and the undrafted Steven Gilmore Jr. under contract, giving the 27-year-old a path to return to the starting lineup. 

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