The NFL offseason is a critical phase for teams as they jockey for advantageous positions in shaping their rosters for the future. A pivotal element in this strategic chess game is the franchise tag, a tool designed to help teams retain top-tier talent. As the league continues to evolve, the dynamics surrounding franchise tags have garnered attention, particularly as we edge closer to 2025—a year marked by an intriguing mix of opportunities and challenges for NFL franchises.
The Mechanics of the Franchise Tag
Teams in the NFL can utilize the franchise tag in two forms: exclusive and non-exclusive. The non-exclusive tag is calculated based on either 120% of the player's previous year's compensation or the average of the top five salaries at the player's position, whichever is greater. Importantly, this flexibility allows players to negotiate with other teams, giving their current team the right to match any offers made.
The exclusive franchise tag, however, restricts players from negotiations with any other team, offering them either the higher of 120% of their previous year's salary or the average of the top five salaries. Both forms of the tag ensure a significant financial commitment from the team, balancing player leverage with team control.
Transition Tags and Strategic Implications
Adding another layer of complexity to personnel management, the transition tag, calculated using the average of the top ten salaries at a respective position, also includes a 120% provision of the player's last salary. Notably, this does not guarantee compensation if other teams succeed in securing the player with a more appealing offer. Yet, it can be a strategic fallback for franchises looking to maintain some level of control or negotiating power.
Franchise Tag Utilization Trends
The use of franchise tags has varied over recent years, reflecting teams' varying strategies in responding to salary cap pressures and player market dynamics. Despite seven out of eight players tagged in a recent year agreeing to multiyear deals, the broader trend from 2021 to 2023 showed that fewer than half of the tagged players secured longer-term contracts. Over these three seasons, tags were applied 22 times, averaging about seven per year.
Such patterns illustrate how the franchise tag has evolved, prompting a source to comment, "The franchise tag operated more like it was originally intended this year." This reflects an approach leaning towards team security, while also encouraging negotiations for long-term solutions.
Specific Cases and Consequences
The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in a particularly complex situation with quarterback Sam Darnold. Currently on a $10 million one-year bridge deal, Darnold's future could significantly impact the Vikings' salary cap—with the potential to free up $65 million if he departs. Without applying a franchise tag, the Vikings risk losing potential compensatory draft picks for 2026, as noted by an insider: "There's a possibility that the Vikings wouldn't get a 2026 compensatory draft pick by letting Darnold walk in free agency."
This scenario underscores the tactical acumen needed to navigate such decisions, with some speculation around novel strategies: "Since Darnold would clearly be the top quarterback available on the open market, using a franchise tag to trade him isn't out of the question."
Other Noteworthy Developments
Elsewhere, Cincinnati Bengals' choice to place a $21.816 million franchise tag on talented wideout Tee Higgins signifies their commitment to retaining top talent in key roles. Meanwhile, challenges arise for players like Chris Godwin, who may face daunting financial constraints if tagged again due to the spiraling calculations involved.
Additionally, the NFL salary cap projection for 2025, expected to sit between $265 million and $275 million, sets the stage for varying levels of strategic flexibility across teams. Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson's move to the Pittsburgh Steelers after departing the Denver Broncos exemplifies how free agency movements can reshape team rosters dramatically.
Ultimately, the NFL offseason is a delicate dance of strategy, negotiation, and foresight, with the franchise tag playing a vital role in maintaining competitive balance. As teams position themselves for the coming year against the backdrop of an ever-shifting salary cap landscape, each decision carries the weight of a potential paradigm shift, both for franchises and the league as a whole.