NFL franchise tag roundup: Adams, Robinson, Gesicki get tagged by deadline

The deadline has now passed for NFL teams to declare a franchise or transition tag to one of their players slated for free agency.

Teams had until 4 p.m. ET Tuesday and eight opted to designate a player with the franchise tag, which keeps them under contract for the 2022 season as they continue to negotiate long-term deals with their clubs.

Here's a roundup of the teams and players with files from The Associated Press:

Cincinnati Bengals: Jessie Bates, safety

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals on Monday placed the franchise tag on safety Jessie Bates III, keeping him with the team for the 2022 season.

The Bengals had tried unsuccessfully to come to terms on a long-term contract for the 25-year-old Bates, whose rookie deal expired at the end of the season, putting him on the verge of becoming a free agent.

Bates was selected in the second round of the 2018 draft and has emerged as one of the team leaders. He was a key player in 2021 as the Bengals reached their first Super Bowl in 33 years.

The franchise tag means Bates will be under contract through the 2022 season for roughly $13 million as the team continues to negotiate a long-term deal with him.

Cleveland Browns: David Njoku, tight end

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns are holding on to David Njoku.

Cleveland placed its franchise tag for next season on the tight end, who once asked to be traded but has become one of the team's top targets and says he wants to finish his career with the Browns.

A first-round pick in 2017 from Miami, Njoku was one of the few bright spots last season for the Browns, who went 8-9 and missed the playoffs amid high expectations. He caught 35 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns.

The Browns believe the 25-year-old Njoku can produce even more and have spoken to his agent about a long-term contract.

Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Schultz, tight end

(AP) — The Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on tight end Dalton Schultz on Tuesday, buying time to agree on a long-term deal for one of Dak Prescott's most reliable targets.

The one-year contract will be worth about $11 million. If Schultz signs it, the sides will have until July 15 to come to terms on a longer contract that would have less of a salary cap hit as Dallas looks for relief. Tuesday is the deadline for franchise tags.

The Cowboys entered the offseason about $22 million over the cap but saved about that much Tuesday by restructuring the contracts of Prescott and five-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin. Releasing receiver Amari Cooper, a strong consideration for Dallas, would save another $16 million.

Schultz emerged as an important part of the Dallas offense early in 2020 when Blake Jarwin sustained a season-ending knee injury in the opener. Jarwin's future now is in doubt because of a hip issue requiring career-threatening surgery.

Green Bay Packers: Davante Adams, wide receiver

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers are putting a franchise tag on Davante Adams to prevent the two-time All-Pro receiver from becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The Packers made the move Tuesday after MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced he's planning to return to Green Bay for an 18th season.

If the Packers hadn't tagged him or signed him to an extension, any team would have had the opportunity to sign Adams when the free agency period opens March 16.

Adams and the Packers now have until July 15 to work out a long-term extension. If they don't come to terms, Adams would play this season for just over $20 million because a player's franchise tag tender is either the average of the five largest salaries from the prior year at the position - $18.4 million for receivers - or 120 per cent of his previous season's salary. The player receives the higher amount; in Adams' case, he gets the 120 per cent.

Adams could negotiate with other teams under the non-exclusive tag, but the Packers could match any offer, and if they didn't they would receive two first-round draft picks.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Robinson, offensive lineman

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars used their franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson for the second straight year Tuesday, guaranteeing him $16.6 million in 2022 and potentially divulging their plans for the No. 1 pick in next month's NFL draft.

If Robinson signs the one-year tender, his salary would be fully guaranteed next season. The sides also could still work to reach a long-term deal.

The former Alabama standout has started 61 games over five seasons since Jacksonville drafted him with the 34th overall pick in 2017.

Kansas City Chiefs: Orlando Brown Jr., offensive lineman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. on Monday, making it a near-certainty that he will play for Kansas City next season while also giving the two sides time to work out a long-term contract.

In an aggressive revamping of their offensive line last offseason, the Chiefs traded a first-round pick and three other draft picks to the Baltimore Ravens to acquire Brown, even though he had just one year left on his rookie contract.

By expending that much draft capital on protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side, it became clear that Kansas City planned to either sign Brown to an extension or place the franchise tag on him. Because the Chiefs did the latter with a non-exclusive tag, Brown has the freedom to negotiate with other teams while Kansas City keeps the option of matching any offer.

If the Chiefs let Brown go, they would receive two first-round draft picks in compensation.

"We're going to work hard to get a deal done with him," Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at last week's scouting combine in Indianapolis. "Hopefully everything ends up in a positive direction."

If Brown plays next season under the franchise tag, he would be paid the average of the top five salary cap hits for NFL left tackles. The exact number is not yet available, but it's likely to be about $16.5 million.

Miami Dolphins: Mike Gesicki, tight end

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike Gesicki is getting a big raise from the Miami Dolphins. What remains unclear is if he'll be getting a longer deal.

The Dolphins on Tuesday placed the franchise tag for the coming season on Gesicki, ensuring that the tight end will be back for 2022 instead of hitting the free agent market.

The NFL set the tag number for tight ends at $10.931 million for the season. Gesicki had made a total of $6.6 million in his first four seasons with the Dolphins, and it remains possible that he and the team could still work out a longer-term extension between now and mid-July.

By committing the nearly $11 million to Gesicki, the Dolphins' available cap space right now is somewhere around $52 million. That remains fluid and could rise depending on other personnel moves that may be coming. Free agency officially begins March 16.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin, wide receiver

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin will be one of the NFL’s highest-paid wide receivers after the Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on him for the second straight year.

The team announced the move Tuesday after failing to reach a long-term agreement with the 26-year-old, who led the Bucs with a career-best 98 receptions for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns despite missing the final three weeks of the 2021 season after suffering torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee.

Godwin, who also sat out the playoffs after undergoing surgery, will earn $19.18 million under the franchise tag next season.

A third-round draft selection out of Penn State in 2017, Godwin has started 47 of 72 games he’s played with the Bucs over five seasons. He has 342 catches for 4,643 yards and 29 touchdowns.