The NFL operates on deadlines, but sometimes exceptions are made. For players tagged with franchise or transition tags, July 15 is the crucial date to finalize multi-year contracts with their teams.
The rule may seem unnecessary, but it’s been in place for years. Typically, most long-term deals for tagged players are sealed around the mid-July deadline.
This year, seven out of nine tagged players have already secured their deals. Only Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are yet to sign long-term contracts.
Both players and teams benefit from getting deals done early, especially for offseason workouts. However, waiting doesn’t usually worsen the offer for the player. The main reason deals are delayed until the deadline is to ensure both sides get the best possible outcome.
Each player and team has their own reasons for timing their deals. Some could have waited longer, but they chose not to. As for Higgins and Winfield Jr., the waiting game continues for them.
