Chase Daniel: 'Players Hate' NFL Franchise Tag But Won't Seek Rule Changes in CBA

Following the Cincinnati Bengals' announcement Monday that they placed the franchise tag on star wide receiver Tee Higgins for a second consecutive year, former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel gave some insight into how players feel about getting franchised.

Speaking on the Scoop City podcast with Dianna Russini of The Athletic (beginning at the 3:30 mark), Daniel said NFL players "hate" the franchise tag:

Daniel went on to say that despite their dislike for the tag, the players will not collectively bargain to get it removed from the NFL since it only impacts "six to seven" players per year.

Higgins had been set to become the top wideout and arguably the top overall player in free agency this offseason, which likely would have landed him a long-term, big-money contract.

Instead, he is set to make $26.2 million in 2025 with the Bengals if he signs the franchise tender and doesn't agree to a longer-term deal.

Upon their announcement of tagging Higgins, the Bengals said they did it "with the intent of continuing to work toward a long-term deal in Cincinnati."

The Bengals have until July 15 to sign Higgins to a new deal. He will otherwise have to either sign the franchise tender and play on the franchise tag or potentially hold out and attempt to force a trade.

Per ESPN Research, teams have used back-to-back franchise tags quite effectively in recent years, as six of the seven players tagged twice since 2019 ended up signing a long-term deal.

The Bengals find themselves in a difficult situation this offseason, as both superstar wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson are in search of new contracts, along with Higgins.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals intend to take a run at getting all three of them under long-term deals.

A potential holdout notwithstanding, the franchise tag at least ensures that Higgins will be with the team next season.

While Chase is quarterback Joe Burrow's No. 1 target, Higgins is among the best No. 2 wideouts in the NFL, as he had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.

Injuries limited him to 12 games in each of the past two seasons, but he still put up big numbers in 2024 despite missing five contests, recording 73 catches for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns.

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith is the only other player to receive the franchise tag so far this offseason, while the Dallas Cowboys are expected to tag defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa if they can't get a long-term deal done, per ESPN's Dan Graziano and Fowler.

The deadline for teams to franchise-tag players is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.