NFL Offseason Updates: Franchise Tag Deadline Sparks Free Agency Frenzy with Geno Smith Trade and Tee Higgins Tag

The NFL's franchise tag deadline has come and gone, and the league is now in full free agency mode. The Las Vegas Raiders made a significant move, trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, which will have implications for the quarterback market. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals applied the franchise tag to wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second consecutive year, a move that could have significant consequences for both the team and the player.

The franchise tag deadline has created a number of winners and losers across the league. The Dallas Cowboys, for example, were able to sign defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million extension, avoiding the need to apply the franchise tag. This move is good news for linebacker Micah Parsons, who will continue to play alongside one of the best penetration tackles in football. On the other hand, the Bengals' decision to tag Higgins for the second consecutive year is a lose-lose situation, as it limits the team's control over their cap space and may not provide Higgins with the long-term security he desires.

The NFL free agency period is now in full swing, with a number of high-profile players available, including quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Chris Godwin. The Patriots, who have a significant amount of cap space, are likely to be major players in the free agency market, although they may not be able to pursue their top targets, such as Higgins and Chiefs guard Trey Smith, who have been tagged by their respective teams. The Raiders, meanwhile, have made a significant move in trading for Geno Smith, and may look to build on this by signing other key players in free agency. As the offseason continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how these moves play out and which teams emerge as the biggest winners and losers.