When Seattle Executive VP/General Manager John Schneider met with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine 11 days ago, we learned the Seahawks would not use the franchise tag on one of their unrestricted free agents to-be.
If there was any doubt, confirmation of Schneider's statement came Monday, when the Seahawks remained quiet as the NFL deadline to use the franchise tag officially passed at 1 p.m. PT.
The tag is essentially a one-year contract to a player for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position, or 120 percent of the player's salary from the previous year, whichever value is greater. The Seahawks last used the designation in 2010 - Schneider's first season at the helm with head coach Pete Carroll, when the team tagged kicker Olindo Mare.
Around the rest of the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys used the franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant, the Denver Broncos tagged wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, the Kansas City Chiefs tagged linebacker Justin Houston, the New York Giants tagged defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, and the New England Patriots tagged kicker Stephen Gostkowski. The Miami Dolphins used the transition tag on tight end Charles Clay.
Notable players who did not receive the franchise tag include Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Broncos tight end Julius Thomas, and Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, meaning they'll be able to field offers from other teams when free agency opens at 1 p.m. PT on March 10.
