Will the Arizona Cardinals apply the Franchise Tag in 2023?
By Sion Fawkes
The Arizona Cardinals could always apply the Franchise Tag to one of their 30-plus pending free agents if they are interested in keeping them for 2023.
The Franchise Tag is always an option for one player this time of the year. Although a team like the Arizona Cardinals can only place the Franchise Tag on one player, there are really two types: Exclusive and Non-Exclusive.
Designating the Exclusive Franchise Tag calls on a team to either a) Pay their designated franchise player the average of a top five salary at their respective position, or b) 120% of their salary the previous season. Teams must exercise the option that provides the greater salary. The length of this contract lasts one year.
They can also choose to go Non-Exclusive, which may still pay the player 120% of the previous season’s salary, just as in an Exclusive. However, if the average cap hit of the five highest paid players at their respective position provides a higher salary, then the team must give the player they’re willing to apply the tag to the average of that cap hit. Further, as the name implies, any player with a Non-Exclusive Tag can also negotiate with any of the other 31 teams.
Would the Arizona Cardinals apply the Franchise Tag to anyone?
Looking at the Arizona Cardinals list of pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), only defensive end Zach Allen or cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. appear to be suitable. With the amount of money the Cards would be giving up, however, neither Allen nor Murphy Jr., while solid, haven’t played at an elite level at their respective position.
Therefore, don’t expect the Cardinals to apply the tag to anyone this offseason. However, you can look for the Redbirds to try and work out a deal with both Allen and Murphy Jr., in hopes that the duo will stick around the desert for this rebuild.
More. Cardinals a top destination for 2 pending free agents. light
They are talented young players who, along with quarterback Kyler Murray, have made the 2019 draft class look at least redeemable after former general manager Steve Keim whiffed on not one, not two, but three receivers. If both players are wearing cardinal red jerseys come training camp in July, then the Cardinals have done their job, but no Franchise Tag is necessary for either of them.
Source: Cardinals Only Have Two True Suitors for Franchise Tag by Donnie Druin
Source: NFL franchise tag: What you need to know by Charlotte Edmonds
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