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The Jacksonville Jaguars did not use the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
The top candidates for Jacksonville this year were linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne. Now that they won’t be tagged, the pair of former first-round picks are set to hit unrestricted agency in March.
Franchise tag costs in 2026 are $26.865 million for linebackers and $14.293 million for running backs. According to Spotrac, Lloyd and Etienne have projected market values of $20.1 million and $6.8 million per year, respectively. Using the tag would have been an overpay in either scenario.
Lloyd, drafted 27th overall in 2022, posted 436 combined tackles, 18 quarterback hits, and 9 interceptions over the past four seasons. He is the only NFL player with 400+ tackles, 10+ QB hits, and 8+ INTs in that span. Lloyd earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro recognition in 2025.
Etienne, drafted 25th overall in 2021, notched 3,798 rushing yards, 1,338 receiving yards, and 32 total touchdowns over the past four years (he missed his entire rookie season with a Lisfranc injury). Only 12 other NFL players have more yards from scrimmage in that span. Etienne remains the all-time leading rusher of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Here’s a brief look at Jacksonville’s history of using the franchise tag.
- 2000: DE Tony Brackens
- 2003: S Donovin Darius
- 2004: S Donovin Darius
- 2005: S Donovin Darius
- 2011: TE Marcedes Lewis
- 2012: K Josh Scobee
- 2020: DE Yannick Ngakoue
- 2021: OT Cam Robinson
- 2022: OT Cam Robinson
- 2023: TE Evan Engram
- 2024: DE Josh Hines-Allen
Wild that it was used each year Trent Baalke was in the building (2020-24).
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