What was expected is now official, as the Rams have not used the franchise tag in 2019.
The deadline to tag a player was 1 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday.
This is the first time since 2015 that the Rams have not utilized the tag. L.A. franchised cornerback Trumaine Johnson in 2016 and 2017 before tagging safety Lamarcus Joyner in 2018.
Before general manager Les Snead said at the NFL Combine last week that the Rams weren't planning on using the franchise tag this year, Joyner and outside linebacker Dante Fowler were analysts popular picks as candidates for it. But now, each of the players slated to become unrestricted free agents — including other starters like defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and left guard Rodger Saffold — are all going to hit the open market provided none strike a deal with the Rams before the new league year.
Free agency will officially begin on March 13, with the "legal tampering" period where teams and agents may negotiate starting on March 11.
Check out photos of the new Rams coaches throughout their football careers.
Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips (center) talks with assistant coach Wes Phillips (left) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, December 27, 2009 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys won the game, 17-0. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach Wes Phillips (right) talks with his dad, Houston Texans defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips (left) before an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, August 29, 2013, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Texans defeated the Cowboys, 24-6. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) talks with tight ends coach Wes Phillips, right, as they walk off the field at the end of a workout during their NFL football minicamp on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Detroit Lions quarterback Zac Robinson (10) talks with Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy after a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Zac Robinson (5) throws a pass during the NFL team's football practice, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at training camp in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Zac Robinson during practice for the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on January 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) talks with, left to right, quarterback John Skelton, quarterback coach Ken Zampese, quarterback Zac Robinson, and quarterback Josh Johnson during the NFL football team's mandatory minicamp, Thursday, June 13, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
New England Patriots' Zac Robinson (7) passes the ball under pressure from New Orleans Saints' Junior Galette in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Foxborough, Mass., Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Zac Robinson throw against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Indianapolis, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. The Colts defeated the Bengals 20-16. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Zac Robinson tosses a ball during practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Sunday, July 28, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Jan 24, 2019; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Los Angeles Chargers assistant defensive line coach Eric Henderson during AFC practice for the 2019 Pro Bowl at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
OSU vs OU Football - Must credit www.Ostatephoto.com.Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007.
