The deadline to place the franchise tag on players comes on February 24th. Before that day, teams will need to decide if they’re going to use the tag. We saw a flurry of teams use it in the first few days and then there hasn’t been much news since.
DeAngelo Williams Won’t Get Franchise Tag From Carolina Panthers
One player who won't get the franchise tag, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, is Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams. This is big news for Panthers fans because it may give Williams the opportunity to hit free agency and leave Carolina.
I can understand the Panthers’ thinking by letting Williams go, if they do. The life of a running back isn’t very long and Williams, 27, may be on the downhill by the time the Panthers turn it around and become competitive again. Plus, Williams was injured for much of last year so it makes it easier to cut the cord.
According to Schefter, the Panthers will instead use the franchise tag on C Ryan Kalil or DE Charles Johnson. If they wish to use the tag, the Panthers will have to decide in the next two days what they'll do.
The NFL has told teams the franchise tag is available to use while the NFLPA has argued that it will become meaningless once a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is agreed upon.
Williams was the Panthers first round pick in the 2006 NFL draft.
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