Fansided

NFL franchise tag 2021: 10 players most likely to be tagged

By Mike Phillips

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 20: Allen Robinson II #12 of the Chicago Bears runs after a reception during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 20: Allen Robinson II #12 of the Chicago Bears runs after a reception during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Franchise tag candidates – Bears WR Allen Robinson

The most intriguing wide receiver set to hit the market is Allen Robinson, who should draw plenty of interest from other teams. The Bears would also love to retain Robinson, who was their most effective offensive player over the past two years.

The fact that Robinson was so effective in 2019 and 2020 with Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles throwing him passes indicates how good a player he is. It is also very obvious that Chicago would be in far worse shape if Robinson leaves so the franchise tag is a strong possibility.

Tagging Robinson would cost the Bears $16.4 million in 2021 although it could come at the cost of an unhappy player if the two sides can’t agree to a long-term extension. That prospect could become quite difficult since Chicago doesn’t have a ton of salary-cap room and needs to find a new starting quarterback for next season.

This could be a prime tag-and-trade situation where the Bears use the franchise tag on Robinson in order to ship him out for some draft capital. There are rumors that Robinson would love to play with Deshaun Watson if he gets moved so the tag could help Chicago extract some assets for him from any team that could end up with Watson.

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