Tuesday marked the beginning of the two-week period during which NFL teams can use the franchise or transition tag on a player who is set to become a free agent when the new league year begins in March.
Between now and 1 p.m. PT on March 5, teams can use the non-exclusive franchise tag, the less-commonly used exclusive franchise tag, or the transition tag. More details on all three of those tags can be found here.
The Seahawks have used the franchise tag only once under head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, doing so in 2010 to keep kicker Olindo Mare in town for another season. The Seahawks' list of players headed towards unrestricted free agency includes a few key players on defense—defensive end Frank Clark, linebacker K.J. Wright and safety Earl Thomas—as well as starting guards J.R. Sweezy and D.J. Fluker on offense.
Designating a franchise player in March doesn't mean a long-term contract extension can't happen, though the deadline to sign a player to a multi-year deal after placing the franchise tag on him is July 15. After that, a long-term deal cannot be negotiated until after the team's final regular-season game.
Take a look back at some of team photographer Rod Mar's best behind-the-scenes moments from the 2018 season.
Shaquem Griffin pauses on his way to the locker room to greet his parents on the sideline.
Seahawks rookies Rasheem Green and Jacob Martin share a laugh at Soldier Field during the team's visit on Sunday afternoon.
Receiver Brandon Marshall walks into the Seahawks locker room Sunday morning.
In the Seahawks locker room, head coach Pete Carroll smiled as he delivered his postgame comments to the team.
Safety Bradley McDougald makes last minute adjustments to his headband before the team left the locker room for pregame warmups.
Defensive end Frank Clark reviews game tape as he boards the charter flight back to Seattle after the victory.
Nick Vannett signs autographs for fans near the Seahawks tunnel.
Seahawks mascot "Blitz" leads the Seahawks out of the tunnel during pregame introductions.
Seahawks receiver David Moore uses his mobile device to photograph the "London Eye", a giant ferris wheel.
The Lions honored Seahawks owner Paul Allen with a moment of silence before kickoff.
At the stadium, offensive lineman D.J. Fluker works with Elijah Nkansah before the game.
Receiver David Moore emerges from the fog and lasers of the Seahawks pregame tunnel as his name is announced.
Seahawks captains Bobby Wagner, Sebastian Janikowski, Shalom Luani, Tedric Thompson, Russell Wilson and Nick Vannett wait at midfield for the opening coin toss.
In the Seahawks locker room, offensive guard D.J. Fluker spoke to the team before the headed to the field for kickoff.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald acknowledges the roar of the crowd as he is introduced on his birthday.
With the victory, Seahawks coaches yielded their first class seats to veteran players including Germain Ifedi and Russell Wilson.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett is introduced.
Seattle's Pete Carroll celebrates on the sideline after Tyler Lockett's 84-yard kickoff return to begin the third quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to lead the team out of the tunnel.
Seahawks vice-chairman Bert Kolde greets Chris Carson at the entrance of the locker room after the win.
Seahawks offensive lineman Jordan Roos boards the team's charter with his signature cowboy hat with an accompanying Western-themed bag.
The Seahawks surround head coach Pete Carroll in the jubilant locker room after the win over the Chiefs clinched a playoff spot.
Frank Clark rallies his teammates as they take the field for pregame warmups.
Teammates Chris Carson and David Moore hug before the team is introduced to the crowd at CenturyLink Field.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner "taps in" as he leaves the locker room for the field.
