If you’re wondering if the Minnesota Vikings will use the tag for just the fourth time in franchise history, the answer is almost definitely going to be “no.” On Tuesday, NFL teams can designate members of their roster as “franchise” or “transition” players.
There isn’t anyone on the squad that is particularly worth using the tag on for this season when looking at the pending free agents. Sadly for the Vikings, or luckily, depending completely on one’s point of view, it is not applicable to the two guys who could be worth utilizing it on.
Kirk Cousins’ contract doesn’t expire until beyond the franchise tag deadline, therefore the Vikings are unable to put the tag on him. “Legal tampering” is what
Although Cousins’ contract isn’t formally void until March 12—the day before players can formally begin signing with new teams—free agency technically begins on March 11.
Danielle Hunter signed a contract extension with the organization before the 2023 season, and part of that agreement prohibits the Vikings from placing the tag on him in the current campaign. Thus, it is also not a choice for him. Hunter appears to be close to reaching unrestricted free agency after a few years of contract controversy.
Nobody else on the list of possible players the Vikings could use the tag on would be worth anywhere close to the sums associated with the franchise tenders hence it doesn’t seem like the Vikings will employ the tag this season for their respective positions.
In their existence, the Vikings have only used the franchise player designation three times. Jim Kleinsasser, a tight end and fullback, did it the first time in 2003. The moniker was then applied to linebacker Chad Greenway in 2011, and safety Anthony Harris was the most recent victim of it in 2020
The franchise tag may cause some drama for some players and clubs, but it looks like the Vikings won’t have to deal with that kind of thing again.
