KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs applied the franchise tag to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe on Monday.
Bowe was set to become a free agent this year unless the Chiefs signed him to a long-term contract or placed a franchise tag on him to keep him a Chief for at least one more year. Each NFL team is allowed one franchise tag per season. Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr will become a free agent unless the Chiefs sign him to a long-term deal.
Free agency starts on March 13. At that time, teams interested in signing Bowe can still make him an offer, but they would have to give up two first round draft picks in order to attain him. With the tag, Bowe is expected to make roughly $9.5 million in 2012.
Bowe, 27, has racked up 4,927 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns in 75 games over five seasons with the Chiefs. Kansas City selected him 23rd overall in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft.
