The Baltimore Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson last week, meaning that other teams would be able to talk to him and attempt to sign him to an offer sheet. Had they used the exclusive tag, which costs significantly more, only they would have been able to negotiate with Jackson.
It raised more than a few eyebrows, however, when, hours or even minutes after the news came out, teams most associated with need at the quarterback position quickly leaked to reporters that they would not be pursuing Jackson. It seemed an unprecedented response when a player of his stature were made accessible.