Standout running backs Ray Rice of Baltimore and Matt Forte of Chicago had profitable Fridays.

The Ravens gave Rice the franchise tag after not reaching agreement on a new contract, and the Bears did the same with Forte. They almost surely will be staying put when NFL free agency begins on March 13.

Franchise players must be paid the average salary of the five highest-paid players at the position in a one-year deal. They are free to sign longer contracts, though, and if another team signs them, the club they leave must be compensated with two first-round draft choices.

Baltimore also terminated the contracts of wide receiver Lee Evans and cornerback Chris Carr, with the possibility of their return.

Also tagged were 49ers safety Dashon Goldson, Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes, Redskins tight end Fred Davis, Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell, and a pair of placekickers: Cincinnati’s Mike Nugent and Cleveland’s Phil Dawson.