The NFL's deadline for teams to apply the franchise or transition tag to one of their pending free agents expired Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
The tags provide players with a lucrative one-year salary (calculated by averaging the top-paying deals at their position) but prevent them from reaching unfettered free agency.
The tag deadline often serves as an accelerant to get deals done – Exhibit A being the four-year contract Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys finally reached Monday evening. (Prescott would have been due $37.7 million in 2021 had he been franchised again.) But tags can also be used to simply buy time as a player and team continue negotiating a long-term pact, the deadline for franchised players to do so this year not until July 15.
WINNERS AND LOSERS:From Dak Prescott's new contract with Cowboys
JARRETT BELL:Maia Chaka, NFL's first Black female official, is a teacher whose conflict-resolution skills will be key on field
WHO IS MAYA BRADY? Meet Tom Brady's niece, UCLA softball standout, 'most dominant' in family
Here's what we know:
Franchise tags applied
Prescott: In a procedural maneuver, he briefly wears the tag until his contract is finalized.
Carolina Panthers OT Taylor Moton: The durable right tackle, who's only 26 and didn't miss a snap in 2020, remains in Charlotte.
Chicago Bears WR Allen Robinson: He's been seeking an extension for some time, but Da Bears ain't letting him out of town this year on the heels of a 102-catch season. He's now scheduled to rake in $17.9 million this year.
Denver Broncos S Justin Simmons: Tagged for the second consecutive offseason, the Pro Bowler is scheduled to make $13.7 million in 2021 – a 20% raise from last year – barring a long-term extension.
Jacksonville Jaguars OT Cam Robinson: He's sticking around – presumably to protect presumptive No. 1 draft pick Trevor Lawrence in 2021.
New Orleans Saints S Marcus Williams: Bit of a surprise move given team's cap overdraft, but the 24-year-old has been a steady defender for this club.
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams: He has been officially tagged for the second straight year after posting a career best 11½ sacks. Williams stands to make at least $19.35 million, a 20% raise from 2020, but could make even more if he's able to get his position classified as defensive end – or eventually land a longer extension.
New York Jets S Marcus Maye: Despite losing wingman Jamal Adams prior to the 2020 season, Maye had a breakout campaign – one that was too good for the cap-flush Jets to let him walk away.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin: The champs' 25-year-old No. 2 receiver gets the tag this year, meaning OLB Shaq Barrett – he was tagged last year –and several other key free agents are likely to reach the open market.
Washington Football Team G Brandon Scherff: Like Simmons and Williams, he was also tagged in 2020. Like Simmons and Williams, Scherff will also receive a 20% raise – to the tune of $18 million – if he winds up playing on the tag.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Do the right thing, sign up now!
