The Bears aren’t expected to sign anyone to the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline.
Only two players from their seven-person 2021 draft class finished last season on their roster, and neither of those — guard Teven Jenkins nor tackle Larry Borom — are worth the $23.4 million, one-year contract that the franchise tag would guarantee offensive linemen. Former quarterback Justin Fields would be finishing his fourth season with the team, too, had the Bears not traded him to the Steelers a year ago. It’d be shocking if Keenan Allen were tagged, given the $23.9 million cost.
The franchise tag is a one-year designation that teams can give their own players to keep them out of unrestricted free agency. The price of the one-year deal is set league-wide by position and is often a starting point to negotiate a long-term contract. That’s what figures to happen with guard Trey Smith, who was tagged by the Chiefs last week.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles had his eye on Smith — he was part of the Chiefs front office that drafted him — amid his team’s glaring need to help at center and both guard positions this offseason.
Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who would have been the most sought-after free agent this offseason, was tagged on Tuesday.
The NFL’s free agency period starts at 11 a.m. March 10, allowing teams to negotiate with players’ agents. No contract can be signed until the start of the league year at 3 p.m. March 12.
The Bears figure to be active in trying to boost both the offensive and defensive lines, with former Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack looming as perhaps the most high-profile defender available. He has language in his Chargers contract that prevents him from receiving the franchise tag.
Poles will have money to spend — the Bears’ $79.5 million in salary cap space ranks third in the league, per Over the Cap. The Bears also need to round out their running back, tight end and wide receiver rooms.
The Bears used the franchise tag last year, giving cornerback Jaylon Johnson the non-exclusive version before signing him to a four-year contract extension two days later.
