3 Players the Chargers Should Franchise Tag

The official NFL Franchise Tag window is set to open at 4 p.m. EST, and it will give teams a chance to tag players that they view as valuable, but are not exactly willing to give them a full contract extension just yet. 

The Los Angeles Chargers may not have many players that could or should warrant a franchise tag, but there are a few options to consider seeing as Jim Harbaugh is the new head coach in town. 

Players that were interested in leaving the Chargers behind might now change their tune to ensure they have a chance to play with one of the most exciting coaches the team has seen in the last 10 years. 

Here is a quick breakdown of the types of tags that can be applied to players by teams starting today. 

Non-exclusive franchise tag: This is the most commonly known tag, which is the one that is loosely known as the simple "franchise tag." This tag is a one-year tender that is either the average of the top five salaries at the player's position over the last five years or 120% of the player's previous salary, whichever is greater. This tag allows the player to negotiate with other teams but the current team the player is on can match any offer made but another team or receive two first-round picks if the player signs with another team.

Exclusive franchise tag: The exclusive franchise tag is added to players so that their current team is the only team that can negotiate a contract. Because of the exclusive nature of this deal, the amount of the tag price goes up. Exclusive franchise-tagged players will make a one-year tender based on the average of the top five salaries at the player's position in the current year, or 120% of the previous salary, whichever is greater. This is a rare tag that is not applied to many players. However, if high-level players like QBs are being targeted, which teams would happily give up first-round picks for, this would be the tag that is used. 

Transition tag: This tag is also a one-year tender that reverts to the top 10 salaries at the player's position. This tag is different in that it gives the current team a chance to first refuse to match any offer a player might get from another team. The team is also not awarded any compensation if they choose not to match the deal from another team. 

Teams are also only allowed to use one tag per year, so it will be paramount to know which player would be worth keeping around on a tagged basis.

That said, here are 3 players the Chargers could apply the franchise tag to starting today. 

1. Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler began the season attempting to hustle the Chargers for a brand-new contract. The team did not budge, and Ekeler rejoined the team anyway after a lengthy holdout. 

Ekeler was basically playing in a contract year, and he did no favors for himself. He finished his 2023 campaign with 628 yards, 5 TDs, and 3 fumbles rushing, and 436 yards, 1 TD, and 2 fumbles receiving. 

This was a drop off from 2022 which saw the dual threat RB land 915 yards, 13 TDs, and 3 fumbles rushing, along with 722 yards, 5 TDs, and 2 fumbles receiving. 

The issue is that Ekeler has had plenty of heartache when it comes to fumbles lost. Still, he could become the three-down physical back that the Chargers will want to see work in Harbaugh's new system. 

Ekeler has stated he would want to return, but we doubt the Chargers would do anything but give him a non-exclusive franchise tag. 

Ekeler might fetch some attention on the open market, and the Chargers could bet on landing a couple of first-round picks if someone comes to take him.,

2. Gerald Everett

Gerald Everett may have had a quieter year with 411 yards and 3 TDS, but he could be viewed as a target that the Chargers will want to tag. The team could choose to offer a non-exclusive tag to Everett, as he might be a target for many teams needing a TE option. 

The Chargers might also want to explore the draft in terms of picking up a TE. If they happened to not tag Everett, it could mean they will be trying to land Georgia's Brock Bowers with pick #5. 

Everett is still a solid player, and it would make more sense for the team to tag him, and use pick #5 on someone like OC Joe Alt. 

Everett did not have the benefit of Justin Herbert throwing him the ball all year, so with Herbert healthy, he might emerge more in the passing game. 

3. Kenneth Murray

Kenneth Murray is an interesting pick to be tagged, considering he has had a quiet first few years with the Chargers. However, Murray did have 3 sacks, an INT, and 107 total tackles in 2023. 

It could appear that Murray has turned his game around, and with Jesse Minter coming over from Michigan, he could be the coach that gets the best out of this young linebacker. 

Brandon Staley called the defensive plays, and it was not a successful marriage. Minter and Harbaugh are bringing over their dual attack that should bolster both sides of the ball.

Murray can be turned into the QB-chasing menace that he was always meant to be under the tutelage of the new coaching staff. We imagine that he would also receive a non-exclusive franchise tag.