Early July can be a bit of a dead period in the NFL offseason. The draft has long passed, free-agency activity has slowed considerably, and training camps aren't scheduled to start until the end of the month. For many fans, it may seem like nothing of note goes on in July.
However, there's one date that typically comes in the middle of the month that carries a ton of weight for a few select players: the franchise tag deadline.
This is the point in the league year after which players given the franchise or transition tag can no longer sign a multiyear extension.