The NFL and the NFLPA have agreed to slightly push back the franchise tag designation period according to numerous reports.
The period was originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 25 and end on Tuesday, March 10. Now it will begin two days later on Thursday, February 27 and end two days later on Thursday, March 12. The change has to do with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.
Absent of an agreement for a new CBA, teams would be allowed to use both the franchise tag and the transition tag during this upcoming period. The delay is likely to allow the NFL and NFLPA to hash out remaining disagreements over a new CBA. NFL owners have voted to accept the terms of a new CBA, but the 32 player representatives have yet to hold a vote. Right now, there doesn’t seem to be a particular impasse that is holding up a vote, but the players are seeking to have a full understanding of all the terms in the current proposal.
The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t likely candidates to use both the franchise and transition tag this season. They have one very clear candidate for the franchise tag in pending free agent defensive tackle Chris Jones. Regardless of what happens with the new CBA, it’s likely that the team utilizes the franchise tag on Jones to buy more time to negotiate a long-term contract. If anything this delay gives the Chiefs and Jones more time to come to an agreement before having to utilize the franchise tag.
