Sports
Panthers' Brian Burns, Bengals' Tee Higgins highlight franchise tags used for 2024 NFL season
NFL teams had until 4 p.m. Tuesday to place a franchise tag on a player of their choosing, and several used this window to lock in key contributors for the 2024 season.
Next on the NFL offseason list will be the free agency period, which begins March 13, when some players expected to be in the franchise tag conversation can start talking to other teams to reach a new deal.
Let’s take a look at some franchise-tagged players who still have a chance to negotiate a long-term deal before their price tags are locked in for 2024.
Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers on the sidelines before facing the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium Nov. 26, 2023, in Nashville. (Silas Walker/Getty Images)
LB Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers
At a whopping $24 million, Burns was slapped with the franchise tag by the Panthers. And though that’s a hefty salary for just one season, he and the organization are not seeing eye to eye right now.
But the tag gives the Panthers more time for Burns, who has 46 career sacks over five seasons with 246 combined tackles and two Pro Bowl nods, to possibly find common ground on a lucrative, new deal.
Burns has a non-exclusive tag with the Panthers, meaning he can talk to other teams. If a contract is sent his way, the Panthers have the opportunity to match it or take draft compensation instead.
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WR Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals
This move went down early. The Bengals announced late last month they were going to franchise tag Higgins for a $21.8 million cap hit.
Like Burns, the Bengals want to continue negotiating with Higgins to keep him in the fold on an offense that quarterback Joe Burrow believed would feature Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins in 2024.
Higgins had a down year in 2023 after putting up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022, catching 42 balls for 656 yards and five touchdowns. Injuries had a lot to do with that. He missed five games, and Burrow also went down midway through the season with a wrist injury.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, left, cannot catch a pass while being defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed during the first half of the Super Bowl Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. ( AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
CB L’Jarius Sneed – Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs used the non-exclusive tag on Sneed, a key member of their Super Bowl-winning formula, and his tag carries a value of over $19.8 million.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach said publicly he is going to keep Sneed and defensive tackle Chris Jones in the mix, and this franchise tag not only allows time for him to work out a possible long-term deal with his top cornerback, but also get Jones paid.
Sneed, 27, has the ability to cover any receiver anywhere, and he is not afraid to defend at the line of scrimmage. Just ask Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill about their meeting in the AFC wild-card round this year.
Sneed has 10 career interceptions, 6½ sacks and 40 passes defended in his four seasons with the Chiefs.
DT Justin Madubuike — Baltimore Ravens
Teams were licking their chops waiting to see what the Ravens did with Madubuike after his breakout 2023 campaign, and GM Eric DeCosta issued a statement Tuesday relaying the news that Madubuike will be franchise tagged.
“We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin before the deadline and will use the franchise tag. Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him.”
Baltimore will hope to avoid another Lamar Jackson situation in which extension talks get drawn out in public. But Madubuike, after collecting 13.0 sacks, 56 combined tackles and 33 quarterback hits, knows it’s his time to cash in.
Josh Allen (41) of the Jacksonville Jaguars sacks Bryce Young (9) of the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium Dec. 31, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
DE Josh Allen — Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL Network reported Allen, the No. 7 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, will get the franchise tag after playing on his fifth-year option last season and having a massive year with 17½ sacks and 33 quarterback hits.
Allen would be due $24 million if his franchise tag stood.
The report added Allen, who has 45 sacks over five seasons with the Jags, and the organization will continue negotiating on a long-term pact.
S Antoine Winfield Jr. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With wide receiver Mike Evans agreeing to terms on a long-term deal to stay in Tampa, the Bucs used their franchise tag on their All-Pro safety, though this appears to be a formality.
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The Bucs also want to lock in Winfield long-term. If they can’t, though, he’d be due $17.123 million for next season.
The 25-year-old is coming off his best season in 2023 when he had three interceptions, 12 passes defended, six sacks and eight quarterback hits. He also tallied 122 tackles, six of which were for a loss.
His versatility on defense is everything a team wants from a safety, and Tampa Bay knows he’s due his big payday soon. We’ll see if the Bucs make that happen before the tag kicks in.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) celebrates after making a defensive stop during a game against the Carolina Panthers Dec. 3, 2023, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WR Michael Pittman Jr. – Indianapolis Colts
Pittman will be a $21.816 million cap hit next season, but he’s expected to continue working on a long-term deal, especially after what he’s been able to do on his rookie deal.
The USC product had a career-high 1,152 yards and 109 catches along with four touchdown receptions during the 2023 season. He’s clearly emerged as the No. 1 receiver Indy hoped he would be when it drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
CB Jaylon Johnson – Chicago Bears
CBS reports Johnson will be getting franchise tagged as both sides try to find common ground on a new deal.
Johnson, a second-round pick by Chicago in the 2020 NFL Draft, had his best year in 2023, collecting four interceptions, 10 passes defended, one forced fumble and 36 combined tackles.
CB Kyle Dugger — New England Patriots
Unlike these other franchise-tagged players, the Pats placed the transition tag on Dugger. What’s the difference? If Dugger negotiates a contract with another team and the Patriots don’t want to match it, they won’t receive draft compensation from that team.
The Patriots have the right to match any contract offer for Dugger in free agency. If he doesn’t get one, he will cost $13.8 million against the cap next season.
Kyle Dugger (23) of the New England Patriots runs back an interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium Jan. 1, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Dugger had a career-best 109 tackles last season with 1½ sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions and seven passes defended with the Patriots, who drafted him in the second round in 2020.
Sports
Stefon Diggs, still seeking new NFL home, insists no team has a better No 2 receiver ‘than me’
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Stefon Diggs is still looking for his next NFL team after one season with the New England Patriots, which ended in a Super Bowl LX defeat.
With NFL training camps across the country set to kick off at the end of the month, Diggs, who will be entering his 12th season, made quite the statement during a recent YouTube video on his channel.
Diggs stated that he is the best No. 2 receiver in the league, and he explained why.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) walks to the podium to speak to the media after a minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on June 10, 2025. (Eric Canha/Imagn Images)
“Everybody got a 1,,” he said. “Opportunities aside, people might say there’s seven real 1s. In my opinion, I can compete with anybody, but take those as your 1s. You can’t name a No. 2 better than me. There’s not a No. 2 on a team. Let’s presumably give people the credit and just say, ‘OK, you want to take the No. 1 spot away.’ Name your No. 2 receiver right now. Tell me how much he makes. My last question is: Is he better than me?”
Diggs put up 1,013 yards in his 11th season, his first and only with the Patriots, on 85 receptions (102 targets) with four touchdowns from breakout star quarterback Drake Maye . It marked Diggs’ seventh 1,000-yard season in the NFL, which have come in seven of the last eight seasons.
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The 32-year-old did note being a No. 2 option, which means he could be willing to take a pay cut to join a squad that he could help get back to the playoffs and, as ever player hopes, the Super Bowl. But no team has pulled the trigger just yet.
Could Diggs’ off-the-field issues be a factor? He faced some serious allegations in December after being charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault in a dispute with his private chef.
New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs speaks during his introductory press conference on March 28, 2025. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
However, Diggs was found not guilty by a jury, with the NFL closing its review on the matter, stating there was insufficient evidence to warrant a suspension for violating its personal conduct policy. Diggs’ attorney said that “professional athletes have a target on their back” following the non-guilty verdict.
“We have taken these allegations seriously from Day One and that’s exactly why we were eager for the facts to come to light through the legal process,” Mitch Schuster of Meister, Seelig & Schuster, the firm that represented Diggs, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital in May.
The Patriots released Diggs in March, but he has been staying in shape and looking for the next opportunity since the league cleared him last month.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs plays against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Teams to watch could be the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs, or even a Buffalo Bills reunion with Josh Allen, who built such a rapport with him to earn four straight Pro Bowls from 2020-23.
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Sports
Dodgers swept by Diamondbacks in first winless series of season as they stagger into All-Star break
The Dodgers needed to turn things around Sunday to wrap up the first half on a high note. Manager Dave Roberts said as much the night before.
“When you give teams free bases, extra outs, it’s hard to win a game, regardless of the opponent,” he said. “Emmet [Sheehan] needs to go out there and throw the baseball well tomorrow. We’ve got to find a way to win a game tomorrow to feel somewhat better about going into the break.”
Instead, the Dodgers fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3, swept for the first time this season. It was Arizona’s first sweep at Dodger Stadium since September 2017.
Perhaps the break is coming at a good time.
“I guess,” Roberts said. “Gives guys a reset. … We’ve got some good teams coming up and we’ve got to play good baseball.”
Sheehan at least did his job, holding the Diamondbacks to three runs in 5⅓ innings. It was clear from the first at-bat that his pitch count could limit how deep he pitched into the game. Sheehan won a 14-pitch battle to strike out Ketel Marte.
The right-hander then struck out the side and was efficient enough to pitch into the sixth. He exited after his pitch count reached 101.
Max Muncy swings at a pitch in the seventh inning.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Shohei Ohtani sparked the offense with his ninth leadoff home run of the season — and 22nd overall — on a two-hit day. But he’ll get treatment this week instead of playing in the All-Star Game.
It wasn’t a clean defensive game for the Dodgers. In the midst of the Diamondbacks’ two-run fifth, All-Star center fielder Andy Pages tracked a long fly back to the wall but missed the catch as the ball bounced off his glove for an error.
In the sixth, the tying run scored when All-Star third baseman Max Muncy’s throw to the plate hit Geraldo Perdomo in the back as he ran home for another error.
“Just a slump,” Muncy said. “You go through slumps both offensively and defensively, mentally. It’s just one of those stretches for us right now, and I think everyone’s ready for the break.”
Regardless of some sloppiness, the Dodgers have had a successful season going into the break.
“Just flush it,” Roberts said. “We’re still in a really good spot. Don’t let it carry over to the second half.”
They have the best record in the majors (61-36) and an 11½-game lead in the National League West. They also had six players selected as All-Stars.
So, as Major League Baseball pauses play and honors some of the best performers in each league, now’s a good time to hand out our first-half awards.
Sports
2026 World Cup Young Player of the Tournament Odds: Lamine Yamal Favored
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Ask anyone who is favored to win Young Player of the Tournament for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, and presumably, you would struggle to hear a name other than Lamine Yamal.
The Spanish sensation, at only 18, is already viewed as one of the game’s greatest players — and he hasn’t even come close to his prime.
With that, let’s check out the odds for who will win Young Player of the Tournament as of July 12.
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Young Player of the Tournament odds
Lamine Yamal: +130 (bet $10 to win $23 total)
Desire Doue: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total)
Pau Cubarsí: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Nico O’Reilly: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:
The Race: Lamine Yamal has been the favorite since before the tournament began and has not moved from the top of the oddsboard. Statistically, Yamal has only one goal and no assists in this World Cup, but his presence on the field has clearly opened up things for Spain on numerous occasions en route to its semifinal berth. Doue has a goal and an assist in three starts for France.
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