NFL free agency begins in a little more than a month, and the Detroit Lions will make some significant selections among the 20 unrestricted free agents. Some may simply seek and find more years and money elsewhere, pushing the Lions to consider alternative options if they are unwilling to pay that price.
Since the introduction of the franchise tag, the Lions have utilized it only four times.
It’s a one-year fully guaranteed investment based on the average of the top-five salaries at a position, with either exclusive or non-exclusive designations depending on how much control a player’s original team has over his ability to negotiate with other clubs. There is also a transition tag, which is rarely used because it does not entitle a player’s original team to draft pick compensation if they do not match another team’s offer.
As a starting point for the Lions’ franchise tag discussion this year, below is a list of their 20 unrestricted free agents.
Tyson Alualu, DL
Michael Badgley, K.
Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback; Anthony Firkser, tight end.
CJ Gardner-Johnson, DB
Graham Glasgow, OG / C
Charles Harris, EDGE.
Will Harris, DB
Jonah Jackson, OG
Jake McQuaide, LS
Emmanuel Moseley, CB
Matt Nelson, offensive tackle; Romeo Okwara, defensive end.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB)
Josh Reynolds plays wide receiver, while Dan Skipper plays offensive tackle.
Nate Sudfeld, quarterback
Halapoulivaati Bridgewater’s Vaitai is retiring to become head coach at his high school alma mater. However, a back issue has hindered his performance for the second consecutive season, prompting him to consider retirement.
Moving on, who could be the franchise tag candidates on this list? Jackson? Glasgow? Gardner-Johnson? And, based on the salaries that would be locked in without a multi-year contract by mid-July, they are unlikely to happen.
On that topic, Pro Football Focus does not have a 2024 franchise tag candidate for the Lions.
So, if only because they don’t have anyone who fits the bill, the Lions will avoid using the franchise tag this year.
