Giants don’t tag Barkley

A star-studded group of NFL free agent running backs will officially be led by Saquon Barkley, who will not receive the franchise tag from the New York Giants, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the team’s plans.

Barkley, 27, officially hits the open market one year after he and the Giants clashed over his receiving of the franchise tag. The two sides eventually agreed to an adjusted deal worth $10.1 million fully guaranteed.

Now, Barkley can try to seek out a more lucrative, long-term pact.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen said last week Barkley is “a guy we would like to have back.”

With NFL free agency beginning next week, teams around the league had to face a pressing question of whether to pay a premium in order to keep one of their own players off the open market.

The window for using the franchise tag officially closed at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. By the end of the day, eight players – Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen, Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson – had received the designation. And New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger was given the transition tag.

Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ breakdown of how it all went down:

Jaguars: OLB Josh Allen

Josh Allen (the other one) and the Jacksonville Jaguars were unable to reach a long-term extension Tuesday, forcing the team to tag its star pass rusher with a $24 million franchise tag for the time being.

Allen’s 171⁄2 sacks in 2023 tied for second in the league, trailing only Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt (19).

With Allen franchised, Jags WR Calvin Ridley will likely now hit the open market. The team acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline.

Colts: WR Michael Pittman Jr.

Anthony Richardson’s top target isn’t going anywhere.

The Colts are placing the franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., according to multiple reports.

After recording 109 catches for 1,152 yards in 2023, Pittman is now set to make $21.816 million next season.

“The franchise tag is almost like a tag of respect because you get paid like the top five of your position,” Pittman said in January.

Patriots: S Kyle Dugger

The first transition tag of 2024 has been handed down.

The New England Patriots plan to use the designation on safety Kyle Dugger, according to multiple reports.

The transition tag offers a lower overall one-year tender figure than the franchise tag, as the salary is determined by the average of the top 10 salaries at the player’s position. Teams still have the right to match any offer sheet that the player signs with an outside club, but they will receive no compensation if they choose not to.

Dugger, who turns 28 on March 22, had been a versatile staple of Bill Belichick’s defenses and now could help new coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington provide a smooth transition on defense.

Bears: CB Jaylon Johnson

In what could be a momentous offseason for the Bears, GM Ryan Poles is keeping one of the team’s top homegrown talents in place. The Bears are giving the franchise tag to Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, according to multiple reports.

A second-round pick out of Utah in 2020, Johnson broke out this season with four interceptions.

With his contract up, Johnson made it known he thought he deserved to reset the market at his position. “I feel like there’s no reason why I can’t be the highest-paid corner in the league,” he said in January on “All Facts No Brakes with Keyshawn Johnson.” “That’s what I’m aiming for. That’s what I’m shooting for. That’s what I think can be done and should be done.”

Ravens: DT Justin Madubuike

The Ravens have a rash of notable defensive players set to hit the open market. Justin Madubuike won’t be one of them.

The Pro Bowl defensive tackle received the franchise tag on Tuesday, the team announced.

“We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin before the deadline and will use the franchise tag,” Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him.”

Madubuike led all defensive tackles with 13 sacks and tied an NFL record by recording at least a half-sack in 11 consecutive games.

The Ravens defense, which already lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, could see several important defensive pieces depart in free agency, including pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Geno Stone.

Buccaneers: Antoine Winfield Jr.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offseason is coming into focus.

One day after giving Mike Evans a two-year, $52 million extension, the Bucs are giving safety Antoine Winfield Jr. the franchise tag, according to ESPN.

Winfield is coming off an All-Pro season in which he recorded three interceptions and tied for the league lead with six forced fumbles.

The Bucs have several other key impending free agents, including quarterback Baker Mayfield and linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White.

Panthers: OLB Brian Burns

The Carolina Panthers again won’t be letting star pass rusher Brian Burns hit free agency, instead hitting him with the designation that would give him a $24 million payout for 2024.

This, however, could just be the latest point in an eventful offseason for Burns and the Panthers. The two-time Pro Bowl selection last season sat out a string of practices leading up to the opener before returning to action. While he notched eight sacks, the total was his fewest since his rookie season in 2019.

But regardless of whatever is next, new coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan won’t risk losing their top defender for nothing on the open market.

Bengals: WR Tee Higgins

The Cincinnati Bengals will have the option of keeping their high-powered receiving corps largely in tact, though Tyler Boyd is set to become a free agent.

Chiefs: CB L’Jarius Sneed

Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach has reiterated that keeping Sneed and star DT Chris Jones are the top priorities. With Jones costing $32 million if tagged, however, the team opted to give the designation to its smothering cornerback. Sneed, however, has been granted permission to seek a trade.

Seahawks cut Adams, Diggs

The “Prez” era has ended in the Pacific Northwest.

The Seattle Seahawks cut safety Jamal Adams on Tuesday, along with fellow defensive back Quandre Diggs, according to multiple reports.

“Forever grateful,” Diggs posted on social media.

Adams, a former All-Pro with the New York Jets, never played a full season with the Seahawks. His best year in Seattle came in 2020, when Adams racked up 9.5 sacks in 12 games en route to his third career Pro Bowl berth. Injuries persisted, however. Shoulder surgery cut his 2021 campaign short. Adams suffered a torn quad tendon, ending his year, in the first half of the 2022 season opener. He played in nine games last season.

Diggs, 31, started his career in Detroit and was traded to the Seahawks in the middle of the 2019 season. He made three Pro Bowls (2020-22) with the team and has 24 career interceptions.

The Seahawks also cut tight end Will Dissley, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.