With no new Collective Bargaining Agreement passed, the Tennessee Titans entered the offseason with the possibility that they may be able to use both the franchise and transition tags on their own free agents.
However, with NFL owners having ratified a new proposal and the players set to vote on it, it looked as though that might not be an option when the tag window opens on February 27th.
As the process continues to play out and with players having yet to vote on the CBA proposal, it looks as though the Titans, as well as the rest of the NFL, will operate under the current agreement, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
League source says of 2020 offseason rules: “Teams will operate under the current agreement until the new one is ratified.” Meaning, for now, you can use franchise tag and transition tag.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 26, 2020
Of course, this means that the Titans could use both tags… for now.
Should the Titans use both tags and a new CBA gets passed between now and the start of the league year on March 18th, Tennessee would have to vacate one of those tags, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The NFL plans to open the franchise and transition tag window Thursday, and under rules of the Final League Year, teams can use both. However, if/when a new CBA is ratified, its full terms take effect immediately, so the NFLPA would expect any team that used 2 tags to vacate 1.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 26, 2020
The deadline to use both tags is set for March 12th.
Tennessee has three players who could either of the two tags in quarterback Ryan Tannehill, running back Derrick Henry and right tackle Jack Conklin.
The ability to use both tags is a huge benefit for Tennessee, as it now helps them have a bit more control over their own free agents.