NFL insider lists Ravens star among ‘candidates’ to receive the franchise tag
Justin Madubuike’s future with the Baltimore Ravens is up in the air. Madubuike is set to hit free agency next month. The former Texas A&M standout played the final year of his rookie contract in the 2023 season, and he wound up bolstering his market value. He notched career highs across the board in the […]
Justin Madubuike’s future with the Baltimore Ravens is up in the air.
Madubuike is set to hit free agency next month. The former Texas A&M standout played the final year of his rookie contract in the 2023 season, and he wound up bolstering his market value. He notched career highs across the board in the season, including in sacks (13.0).
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer views Madubuike among multiple players who are "candidates" to receive the franchise tag in the coming weeks.
"I’d say Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins, Panthers OLB Brian Burns, Miami Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins, Jacksonville Jaguars OLB Josh Allen, Bears CB Jaylon Johnson, Baltimore Ravens DT Justin Madubuike, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr. are on the list of candidates," Breer wrote on SI.com.
"Jones and Sneed could be, too, though it’d be expensive for the Chiefs to tag Jones (nearly $32 million)."
The Ravens can place either the non-exclusive or exclusive franchise tag on Madubuike over a 15-day period from Feb. 20 to March 5.
The Ravens can always opt to hand either franchise tag to Madubuike and then later sign him to a multiyear extension deal. Such a route was taken by the Washington Commanders during their lengthy contract talks with defensive tackle Daron Payne last year. Washington issued the non-exclusive franchise tag to Payne in late February, but the two sides ultimately came to terms on a four-year, $90 million extension deal mere weeks later.
Multiple teams across the NFL sure will be keeping a close watch on this matter.
