With the NFL's offseason underway, tough decisions that all 32 teams must make will happen sooner rather than later. That includes the Patriots, who have a lot of work to do to upgrade their roster around rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
This is the offseason to do it with high draft picks and the most salary cap space in the league, but the Patriots should consider themselves lucky in one context.
New England has its share of free agents, but none are worthy of the franchise tag.
The franchise tag period officially opened on Feb. 18, giving teams the opportunity between then and March 4 to use this tool to prevent players from departing in free agency.
That includes Patriots' free agency target Tee Higgins, and reports have circulated throughout the week that the Bengals will use the franchise tag on the free-agent wide receiver with the intention on keeping him in Cincinnati long-term.
The Patriots save even more money during the 2025 offseason with no players to franchise tag
While the franchise tag is a valuable tool, it's not a cheap one. For example, if the Bengals tag Higgins under the "non-exclusive" tender, they'd have to pay him $25 million over one season.
That's why the Patriots should consider themselves fortunate that none of their free agents are worthy of the franchise tag. That's not meant to disrespect the abilities of guys such as Austin Hooper and Jonathan Jones, but are they worth throwing that salary cap space to the wolves on a one-year deal?
No.
Hooper is a guy that is absolutely worth bringing back. He's a valuable tight end and should be the Patriots' top priority in terms of their own free agents. But let's say the Patriots slap the franchise tag on Hooper. They'd be on the hook for $14 million over the course of a season. That money can be spent upgrading areas such as the offensive line and the wide receiver core.
Jonathan Jones is another guy that comes to mind. The free-agent cornerback is one of the last remaining links to the Patriots' dynasty days. But he's on the wrong side of 30, is undersized, and probably wants to go somewhere where he has a chance at another championship during the twilight of his career. He's not worth a franchise tag.
Teams like the Bengals with Higgins and Minnesota with Sam Darnold will have to spend the next couple of weeks making these agonizing decisions, which will not be cheap. Given the money the Patriots have to spend upgrading their roster, New England fans should be thankful the team doesn't have any high-priced free agents in its own locker room who should be franchise-tagged.