Dallas signed Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa Tuesday and Minnesota refused to give tags before the franchise tag deadline Quarterback Sam Darnoldclearing how he will reach the open market next week.
Only two players were given tags in 2025 before Tuesday’s deadline Cincinnati Receiver Tea Higgins He got it on Monday and Kansas City Guard Trey Smith gets it last week.
This is a major recession in the tags that have been handed out since last season’s eighth innings, and an average of more than nine years in the last five seasons. According to the NFL, Pittsburgh tight end Eric Green and Minnesota defensive tackle Henry Thomas were tagged in 1994, with only two or fewer players tagged.
After failing to tag, among the top players other than Darnold who can sign other teams as free agents starting March 12th, Tampa Bay receivers Chris Godwin, Miami Safety Jevon Holland, Philadelphia’s defensive standout Milton Williams, Zach Boun, Josh Sweatt and Baltimore left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
According to his agent, the Cowboys locked up Odighizuwa by agreeing to a five-year deal on a $80 million four-year deal. Agent Sam Leaf Ifezi confirmed the contract with The Associated Press and said it includes a $20 million signature bonus. The franchise tag is worth $25.1 million in 2025.
A three-round pick in 2021, Odighizuwa has earned a career-high season with 4 1/2 sacks, 47 tackles and 23 quarterback hits.
Darnold had a groundbreaking season in his only year in Minnesota, threw for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs while recording a passerby rating of 102.5. Darnold was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, but struggled hard in two seasons with the Jets and Carolina.
After spending the 2023 season as a backup in San Francisco, Darnold ultimately responded to his potential for most of the season, posting back-to-back guys in the last two games. A 18-week game against Detroit for the first seed in the NFC and a wildcard loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
His performance in these key games helped the Vikings decide, handing over the team to JJ McCarthy, who was drafted 10th place overall last season, passing on the team.
McCarthy missed his rookie season with a knee injury, but is expected to be the starter of manager Kevin O’Connell’s talented offense featuring star receiver Justin Jefferson.
Higgins won the tag in his second straight season worth $26.2 million. Higgins has finished sixth in the league with 10 touchdown catches this past season. He also had 73 receptions for 911 yards, averaging 12.5 yards per catch.
Smith, the sixth pick in 2021, received a tag worth $23,402 million. He missed only one game in four seasons, helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl following the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Kansas City lost the Super Bowl to Philadelphia last month. It contributed to the decision to give a tag to one of the more reliable linemen in the hopes of giving Patrick Mahomes better protection.
Teams can sign players with franchise tags by July 15th. Otherwise, it will need to be played with tags in 2025.
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AP profile football writer Schuyler Dixon contributed to this report
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/nfl
