INDIANAPOLIS — To perhaps nobody’s surprise, Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline for the Indianapolis Colts to utilize their franchise tag came and went with no action.
It’s the fifth straight year the Colts have not used the franchise tag; the last time they did was in 2013 with punter Pat McAfee.
Indianapolis was certainly not alone this year, however, as this offseason turned out to be one of the least-active franchise tag periods since the option was introduced in 1993. Only five players ended up receiving the franchise tag by their respective teams this year, keeping them with their clubs for one year with a guaranteed salary that is an average of the top-five highest-paid players at their position or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary, whichever is greater:
• Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence
• Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah
• Los Angeles Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner
• Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry
• Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell
The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, used the transition tag on cornerback Kyle Fuller.