The NFL has commenced its franchise tag window, providing teams with the chance to designate one impending free agent until March 5. Generally, the franchise tag entails a one-year contract offering the player the average of the top five salaries at their position, albeit with certain intricacies.
Typically viewed as a measure of last resort, the franchise tag is unpopular among players due to its lack of guaranteed money compared to what they could secure on the open market. Likewise, teams are wary of it since it results in a high salary and cap hit without any assurance of long-term commitment from the player.
However, when negotiations deadlock between a team and a crucial player, the franchise tag becomes a useful tool. In the case of the Jets, they face a dilemma with their impending free agent defensive end, who has recorded ten sacks. Despite this, reports from Rich Cimini suggest that the Jets are unlikely to utilize the tag on Bryce Huff.
One significant hurdle for the Jets lies in their constrained financial situation, with only a small amount of salary cap space available. This constraint is compounded by pressing needs at positions like tackle and wide receiver, where acquiring quality players comes at a premium.
Projections indicate that the franchise tag for a defensive end will exceed $20 million. Unlike multi-year contracts, the franchise tag does not allow teams to manipulate cap hits to artificially lower them for the 2024 season.
Moreover, the Jets’ apparent lack of interest in retaining Huff further complicates the prospect of using the franchise tag on him.
The franchise tag window opens today. Bryce Huff is not expected to be tagged. A closer look: #Jets https://t.co/dKhfSoDCrk
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 20, 2024
