The NFL offseason is underway. The two-week franchise tag window opened on Feb. 17. The window will close on March 3 at 4 p.m. ET.
Understanding the Franchise Tag
The franchise tag is a tool for NFL teams. It allows them to keep their best players from leaving in free agency. If a player is tagged, they receive a one-year tender.
There are three types of franchise tags. These are the non-exclusive tag, exclusive tag and transition tag.
- NON-EXCLUSIVE TAG: This tag allows the player to sign an offer sheet with another team. The original team has the right to match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks in compensation if the player leaves. This is the most common type of tag.
- EXCLUSIVE TAG: This tag completely binds the player to his team. His agent is prohibited from seeking an offer sheet.
- TRANSITION TAG: This tag works like the nonexclusive franchise tag, except it only provides the original team the right to match the other team’s offer. If the original team decides not to offer a matching bid, it gets no compensation when the player leaves.
Once a player is tagged, the two sides have until July 15 to sign a long-term contract. By NFL rule, the player will play on the one-year deal (or hold out) if a deal cannot be reached.
Tag Values and Restrictions
The value of the tag varies from position to position. It also depends on the type of tag used.
The value of the non-exclusive tag is the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position over the last five years. Alternatively, it could be 120% of his previous salary (whichever is greater).
The value of the transition tag is the average of the top 10 salaries at the position.
The value of the exclusive franchise tag is the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year or 120% of his previous salary (whichever is greater). These numbers aren’t available until after restricted free agency ends.
Teams can only tag a player three times. The value of the tag increases each time.
The second time a player is tagged, they receive a 120% raise over the previous season. The third and final time a player is tagged, they receive a 144% raise.
Confirmed Franchise Tags So Far
Several players have already been tagged.
These include:
- Cowboys WR George Pickens, non-exclusive tag
- Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Sr., non-exclusive tag
- Jets RB Breece Hall, non-exclusive tag
- Colts QB Daniel Jones, transition tag
The franchise tag window closes on March 3. Teams will be looking to secure their key players before then.