Amon-Ra St. Brown Calls Out NFL Franchise Tag System
Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t one to hold back his opinions, and his latest comments about the NFL’s franchise tag system prove just that. On a recent episode of the St. Brown Bros. Podcast, the Detroit Lions star wide receiver voiced his frustration over the Cincinnati Bengals tagging wideout Tee Higgins for a second straight year—calling the move unfair to players who have earned long-term security.
St. Brown’s Strong Words on the Franchise Tag
Higgins, one of the Bengals’ top receivers, is now set to play under the franchise tag again instead of securing a long-term contract. For St. Brown, that’s a problem.
“That should be illegal. I don’t give a (expletive) what nobody says,” he said. “Saquon (Barkley) got that. I would be so hot, I don’t care what nobody says. It is good money, but still. You would rather get a bigger deal with more guaranteed money. Get locked in. Especially if you have been balling for the team for the past five or six years, like damn.”
His passionate response reflects a growing sentiment among NFL players—while the franchise tag offers a high one-year salary, it prevents them from securing the long-term financial security they deserve.
Why Players Dislike the Franchise Tag
For players like Higgins, who have been key contributors to their teams, the franchise tag can feel like a restriction rather than a reward. Instead of negotiating a multi-year deal that provides guaranteed money and job security, players are forced into a one-year contract with no long-term protection.
St. Brown, who recently secured his own long-term extension with the Lions, understands the importance of financial stability. Injuries are always a risk in the NFL, and without guaranteed money in future seasons, a single setback could cost a player millions.
Higgins isn’t the only star in this situation—several big-name players, including Saquon Barkley in the past, have expressed frustration with being franchise-tagged multiple times.
What This Means for the Lions and NFL Players
St. Brown’s comments highlight a growing debate about the fairness of the franchise tag. While teams use it to retain top talent, many players feel it limits their ability to secure life-changing contracts. With the NFL Players Association advocating for change, the issue could become a major topic in future collective bargaining discussions.
For now, St. Brown is speaking up for his fellow players—and making it clear that he believes long-term deals, not franchise tags, should be the standard for those who have proven their worth.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Speaks Out Against NFL’s Franchise Tag Process
