The NFL's franchise tag window opens on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m. ET, allowing teams to franchise tag players. The window closes on March 4 at 4 p.m. ET.
Last year, the Bears used the tag on Jaylon Johnson when they couldn’t secure a long-term deal—though they ultimately reached an extension. Johnson signed a four-year, $76M contract. This offseason, the Bears don’t have an obvious candidate for the franchise tag, but they could still use it in a surprising way. Two possible, albeit unconventional, options are guard Teven Jenkins and wide receiver Keenan Allen.
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What Would Tagging Teven Jenkins Look Like?
The projected franchise tag for an offensive lineman is $25 million—an expensive price for a player who has appeared in just 45 games over four seasons. When healthy, Jenkins is a very good starter, and the Bears need depth. Could they tag him as a negotiation tactic for a long-term deal, similar to Jaylon Johnson? Possibly, but it’s more likely Jenkins is on his way out.
What Would Tagging Keenan Allen Look Like?
Allen was a reliable target for rookie QB Caleb Williams last season and has expressed interest in returning.
Keenan Allen said he'd like to run it back with the Bears next season. pic.twitter.com/SkOliP9Ust
— Dave (@dave_bfr) December 5, 2024
However, with only one or maybe two big contracts left in his career, Allen may want to chase the money. The Bears could tag him at $25.6 million, but only if Allen is open to playing on it. GM Ryan Poles would likely respect his preference. A two-year deal seems more probable if Allen truly wants to stay; otherwise, he’ll likely test free agency.
Will the Bears Use the Franchise Tag?
While tagging Jenkins or Allen is possible, the Bears are in a unique position this offseason. With ample cap space and draft capital, they don’t need to use the tag. Instead, they can negotiate from a position of strength. Unless the tag is used as a strategic leverage tool in contract talks, the Bears will likely pass on it this year.
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