The NFL’s tag window opened Tuesday, where teams can place the franchise or transition tag on players with expiring contracts. The last day to place a tag on a player is March 7.
Teams that utilize a tag have until mid-July to work out a long-term deal with a player. If there is no deal agreed upon, the player will play out the 2023 season on that one-year tag.
While the Chicago Bears don’t have any candidates to earn the franchise tag this offseason, there are a number of players who could receive it, including some potential free agents they might covet like Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown and Commanders defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne.
In the past, Chicago has used the franchise tag five times, which includes some well-deserving names and one surprise.
Here’s a look at the five players who the Bears used the franchise tag on dating back to 2007.