US Trends

what does franchise tag mean in nfl

In the NFL, the franchise tag is a tool teams use to keep one of their top players for one more season when that player is about to become a free agent. It’s a one‑year, fully guaranteed contract at a high salary based on the top players at that position.

What Does “Franchise Tag” Mean in the NFL?

The franchise tag is a special label a team can put on one impending free agent each offseason to stop him from hitting the open market. Instead of the player choosing any team in free agency, he’s tied to his current team for one more year at a preset price.

Teams usually use it on star players—think top quarterbacks, receivers, pass rushers—when they can’t agree on a long‑term deal but don’t want to lose them for nothing. It often acts as a “bridge” while both sides keep negotiating a longer contract.

How the Money Works

When a player is tagged, he gets a one‑year guaranteed salary calculated in a specific way.

  • For most franchise tags, the salary equals:
    • The average of the top five cap numbers (or salaries) at that position,
    • Or 120% of the player’s previous year’s salary,
    • Whichever number is higher.
  • The deal is fully guaranteed for that season once the player signs it.

If the player refuses to sign and doesn’t report by around Week 10, he can’t play at all that season.

Types of Franchise and Transition Tags

There are actually three main tags : two franchise tags and one transition tag.

1. Non‑exclusive franchise tag (most common)

  • Player can negotiate with other teams.
  • Original team can match any offer he signs elsewhere.
  • If they don’t match, the new team must send two first‑round picks to the old team as compensation.
  • Salary: based on the average of the top five cap numbers at that position over the last five years, or 120% of last year’s salary.

2. Exclusive franchise tag

  • Player cannot negotiate with other teams at all.
  • He is locked to his current team for that year.
  • Salary: average of the top five cap numbers at his position for the current year , or 120% of his previous salary, whichever is higher.
  • It’s more restrictive for the player, usually more expensive for the team.

3. Transition tag

  • Similar to the non‑exclusive tag, but weaker for the team.
  • Player can negotiate with other teams.
  • Original team has only the right to match the offer—no draft‑pick compensation if they let him go.
  • Salary: average of the top ten salaries at that position.

Each team can use one franchise tag (exclusive or non‑exclusive) and one transition tag per year.

Why Teams Use It (Team View)

From the team’s side, the franchise tag is about control and flexibility.

Pros for teams:

  • Keeps a star player for at least one more season without a long, risky contract.
  • Buys extra time to negotiate a multi‑year deal.
  • Can help a team manage the salary cap in the short term while staying competitive.
  • In the non‑exclusive tag, if another team really wants the player, you either keep him by matching or get two first‑round picks back.

Cons for teams:

  • One‑year hit can still be a huge cap number for top positions like QB or edge rusher.
  • Tagging multiple years in a row gets extremely expensive because of the 120% rule each time.
  • Can strain the relationship with the player, especially if he feels underpaid or disrespected.

Why Players Care (Player View)

For players, the tag is a mixed bag: big money now, but risk and less freedom.

Pros for players:

  • Very high one‑year salary, usually top‑five at their position.
  • Fully guaranteed once signed.
  • If they play well and stay healthy, they can push for a massive long‑term deal the next offseason.

Cons for players:

  • No long‑term security—one injury can ruin future earnings.
  • Limited control over where they play, especially under the exclusive tag.
  • If tagged repeatedly, it can delay their chance at a record multi‑year contract.

You’ll often see stars skip workouts, hold out of camp, or complain publicly when tagged, because they want multi‑year security instead of a one‑year “prove it again” situation.

Why It’s a Trending Topic Every Offseason

The franchise tag becomes a hot talking point every year around late February and March, when the tag window opens and free agency approaches. Fans and forums obsess over questions like:

  • “Will Team X tag their quarterback or let him walk?”
  • “Is this star receiver going to play on the tag or hold out?”
  • “Should a running back ever sign the tag, given their short career window?”

Because the tag numbers update with the salary cap and top contracts, discussions each year include the latest projected tag values for each position and debates about whether certain positions (especially running backs) get a fair deal under the system.

Quick HTML FAQ Table

Below is an HTML table version for a quick skim, as you requested tables in that format.

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Tag Type</th>
      <th>Can Player Talk to Other Teams?</th>
      <th>Team Rights</th>
      <th>Compensation</th>
      <th>How Salary Is Set</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Non-exclusive franchise tag</td>
      <td>Yes</td>
      <td>Can match any offer</td>
      <td>Two first-round picks if they don’t match</td>
      <td>Average of top five cap numbers at position over last five years, or 120% of previous salary</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Exclusive franchise tag</td>
      <td>No</td>
      <td>Player fully bound to original team</td>
      <td>None (player cannot leave as a free agent)</td>
      <td>Average of top five cap numbers at position for current year, or 120% of previous salary</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Transition tag</td>
      <td>Yes</td>
      <td>Right to match any offer</td>
      <td>No picks if team chooses not to match</td>
      <td>Average of top ten salaries at position</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR:
In simple terms, the franchise tag is a one‑year, high‑pay contract tool that lets an NFL team keep a key player from hitting free agency, with different flavors that change how much freedom the player has and what leverage the team holds.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.