Patriots make unsurprising decision ahead of NFL franchise tag deadline

The New England Patriots had a choice to make before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and they made a decision that should come as a surprise to nobody. They opted not to use the franchise tag to keep one of their prospective unrestricted free agents from the open market.

A total of six players would have qualified for the tag, including arguably the Patriots’ highest-profile FA this spring, edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. In addition to the team’s sack leader, tight end Austin Hooper, offensive tackles Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford Jr, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins also were theoretical candidates to get tagged.

However, none of the six were ever realistically considered given a price tag of somewhere between $15 million (TE) and $27 million (DT) at the respective positions. Instead, for a second straight offseason, all of the Patriots’ unrestricted free agents are now scheduled to hit the open market.

Obviously, that does not prevent them from still reaching an agreement with the team before the market opens next week. However, the franchise tag — a fully-guaranteed one-year contract — will not be used as a unilateral tool by the Patriots’ front office.

In total, four tags were applied around the league. The Atlanta Falcons tagged tight end Kyle Pitts, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens and the New York Jets running back Breece Hall. In addition, the Indianapolis Colts opted to use the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones.

NFL free agency is set to begin on Wednesday, Mar. 11, at 4 p.m. ET. Two days before that date, the so-called legal tampering window will open.