• NFL Network
  • En Español
  • Mobile

Photo Essays

Franchise Tags: 32 things NFL teams need to franchise

  • By NFL.com
More Columns >

The deadline to place the franchise tag on players has passed, but here's one thing we'll never understand: Why can you only franchise players? The franchise tag should be opened up to lots more things. With that in mind, here is a list of what every team should consider giving the franchise tag to.

Dallas Cowboys: The giant TV

Whatever the Cowboys do, don't ever lose the giant TV. People might believe the TV is way too big for the stadium. Those people have never seen it.

Tom Hauck/Associated Press

New York Giants: MetLife Stadium

It was nice of the Jets to chip in on the construction of MetLife Stadium, but come on, two Super Bowl championships in the last five years means you are the true owner of the house, and the other team is just renting.

Scott Boehm/Associated Press

Philadelphia Eagles: Chuck Bednarik

The face of the franchise from the team's last NFL championship in 1960, the current version of the Eagles could use a little bit of the "Concrete Charlie" attitude on defense (and maybe offense, as he was the last 60-minute player) to go along with the arrival of Chip Kelly. Oh, and bring back those green uniforms, too.

Mel Evans/Associated Press

Washington Redskins: The red X-Ray shed

The X-Ray shed at FedEx Field was one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2012 playoffs. And while it was unfairly judged for being so plain, it did add a little bit of character to the stadium. A lot of the new stadiums try to build in charm (looking at you, New England) but sometimes the best features are the unintentional ones.

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Chicago Bears: Smoking Jay Cutler website

The Bears finally have a franchise quarterback for the first time in years (decades). But his biggest contribution might be the meme created in his honor in the "Smoking Jay Cutler" website. Lock that thing up now, and pass the smokes.

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Detroit Lions: Barry Sanders

You have to believe Sanders still has some life in those legs of his. Forget a comeback by Michael Jordan, Sanders is the one retired athlete we'd like to see make a return.

David Stluka/Associated Press

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers

This isn't a knock on Joe Flacco and his new contract. But Rodgers should be the highest paid quarterback in the league. Don't mess around with this, Packers.

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson's doctor

Yes, the return of Peterson was one of the biggest stories in the NFL last season. Maybe one of the biggest of the last decade. So while Peterson is locked up for years to come, the Vikings should make sure they don't let that doctor get away, either.

Evan Vucci/Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons: The red helmet look with black jerseys

The Falcons like to break out the red helmets during the regular season. But this should really be the club's all-time look going forward.

David Drapkin/Associated Press

Carolina Panthers: That kid from the commercials

Well the obvious choice might be Cam Newton right here. But the clear-cut winner should be the little kid from the Cam Newton commercial. He's already got the swagger going for him. So loosen up the franchise tag for him.

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

New Orleans Saints: The Super Bowl

New Orleans should be in the mix for the Super Bowl every year. And hopefully, you can lock up the Super Bowl to a long-term deal and then use the money you save to invest in some new transformers so, you know, nothing mysterious happens again.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Playing to the final gun

If there is one thing Greg Schiano instilled in his players this year, it's that the game is never over until it's over. So while playing at full speed when the other team is in the victory formation might have ruffled some feathers (right, Tom Coughlin?), it was a breath of fresh air.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald

Look Arizona, you don't have a lot going for you. Whatever you do, please don't let Fitzgerald go. Ever! Hold on to him with all of your might.

Paul Connors/Associated Press

St. Louis Rams: City of Los Angeles

A couple of teams have been rumored to be on L.A.'s short-list for relocation. But there's really one team which could make it work. The Rams should lay claim to the second-biggest market in sports with a franchise tag.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick

Even if teams can slow down the read-option, Kaepernick is not going away anytime soon.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Seattle Seahawks: 12th Man

Congratulations Seattle, you have a claim for the best fans in not only football, but sports in general. Do what you can to make sure the 12th man is happy.

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

New England Patriots: Benjamin Brady

With Tom Brady extending his contract to become a Patriot for life, the Patriots should apply the tag to Brady's son Benjamin. They might as well start looking to the future now, and then lock the kid up with a long term deal after he gets out of preschool.

Steven Senne/Associated Press

New York Jets: Fireman Ed

We've written about poor Fireman Ed ad nauseum, but the Jets need to be realistic. No one else on their roster is worth a tag anyway, so they might as well keep their most iconic fan around to boost morale.

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Buffalo Bills: Jim Kelly

We're closing in on 20 years since Jim Kelly retired, and the Bills are still searching for an answer at quarterback. They should tag Kelly and see if he's interested in making a comeback. If not, maybe Doug Flutie's available.

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Miami Dolphins: Lauren Tannehill

The Dolphins need to do everything in their power to keep Lauren Tannehill in Miami. Gisele Bundchen's reign as the NFL First Lady could be coming to a close soon, and nobody is primed to take her seat quite like Mrs. Tannehill.

Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans: J.J. Watt

While his biceps or hands might seem more fitting, this offseason J.J. Watt has proved his heart is his biggest asset. From proposing to a little girl to appearing in a fan's wedding video, Watt has been doing his part to make fan dreams come true. The Texans would be wise to lock his big heart up for the long-run.

G. Newman Lowrance/Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts: The cheerleaders

A punter, really? The Colts instead should have used their franchise tag on the cheerleaders who shaved their heads for Chuck Pagano. Devotion like that is hard to come by.

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars: Shad Khan's yacht "Kismet"

The Jaguars new owner Shad Khan was reportedly selling his yacht "Kismet" for a cool $112 million. Instead, he should just tag it so the Jaguars have a place to vacation as a team during the offseason. Salt water is the cure for everything, right? Even 2-14 seasons?

Perry Knotts/Associated Press

Tennessee Titans: Sean Butler

The jury is out on Jake Locker, but if the Titans want some real competition they could use their tag on Sean Butler, the fictional quarterback from ABC's Nashville. I mean, the guy was able to push away Hayden Panettiere's advances for the sake of watching game tape. Now that's devotion to the job.

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens: Celebration floats

With Flacco locked up, and Paul Kruger likely walking, the Ravens should target some sturdier celebration floats. The last thing they need is a star player spraining an ankle due to a float malfunction. That'd be worse than Rob Gronkowski getting injured dancing at a night club.

Evan Habeeb/USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers: "Six Rings" argument

The Steelers proudest argument was nearly toppled this season when San Francisco barely missed out on their sixth Lombardi Trophy. Meanwhile, Green Bay has four trophies and Aaron Rodgers at the helm, meaning they could realistically be two seasons away from tying Pittsburgh as well. If the Steelers want to continue reveling in their six-ring glory they should use their tag wisely and lock up that argument.

Ed Rieker/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Johnson

The Bengals have already used their franchise tag effectively by keep Michael Johnson in Cincinnati. Johnson helped fuel the Bengals top-ranked pass rush. Well done, Cincinnati.

Tom DiPace/Associated Press

Cleveland Browns: Hope

The Browns franchise and fans have been suffering for years, especially since the franchise came back to life in 1999. There's reason for optimism now with the amount of young talent on the roster. The Browns should tag this feeling of hope before it escapes their grasp for good.

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady

Another smart tag here. Protecting Peyton Manning needs to be priority No. 1 in Denver, and keeping Clady for another season at least will do just that.

G. Newman Lowrance/Associated Press

San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews' clavicle

Ryan Mathews’ career has been hindered lately by repeated injuries to his clavicle. If the Chargers were smart, they'd franchise a fancy new collarbone, maybe one made out of titanium, so the talented running back can assert his will against defenses for an entire season.

Nick Lucero/NFL

Oakland Raiders: Marquise Goodwin

Marquise Goodwin ran the fastest 40-yard dash at this year's NFL combine, and in the Al Davis era that was essentially an assurance he'd become a Raider. Even though Al's reign in Oakland is over, the team should stake their claim on Goodwin to keep Al's memory alive.

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Kansas City Chiefs: Gates Bar-B-Q

With Andy Reid now in town, and Gates Bar-B-Q being one of the most famous (and delicious) restaurants in Kansas City, the Chiefs would be wise to lock it up for next year while a long-term deal can be reached.

Shutterstock

Fan Discussion

Headlines

The previous element was an advertisement.
NFL News
CONTENT
15