Franchise tag
In the National Football League (NFL), the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team only has one franchise tag (of either the exclusive or non-exclusive forms) and one transition tag per year. The transition tag can only be used if the team does not use a franchise tag.
Perhaps originally designed to reduce player movement to bigger markets, which is often evidenced in the other major pro sports leagues, the NFL revenue sharing and a hard salary cap has placed teams on an even playing field relative to salaries. The tag options allow NFL franchises an extended bargaining period for a player that they feel is key to their success. Usually reserved for players of great skill or of high importance to the team, a franchise tag allows a team's general manager the privilege of strategically retaining valuable free-agent players while seeking talent through the NFL draft or other acquisitions without exceeding the League's salary cap.
The designated franchise player will have his one-year salary guaranteed if he elects to play for the team that designated him with the franchise tag and if he does not negotiate a contract with another team.
Background
The National Football League introduced the franchise tag in 1993.[1] There are two types of franchise tag designations: the exclusive rights franchise tag, and non-exclusive rights franchise tag:
- An "exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. Exclusive franchise players cannot negotiate with other teams. The player's team has all the negotiating rights to the exclusive player.
- A "non-exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five cap hits at the player's position for the previous five years applied to the current salary cap, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if the player signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
- Under the Capped years a team can designate one additional player only as a transitional tag. A transition player must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player's position or 120 percent of the player's prior year's salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.
Historical data
Salary averages
| Position | 2017[2] | 2016[3] | 2015[4] | 2014[5] | 2013[6] | 2012[7] | 2011[7] | 2010[8] | 2009[9] | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerback | $14,212,000 | $13,952,000 | $13,075,000 | $11,834,000 | $10,854,000 | $10,600,000 | $13,500,000 | $9,566,000 | $9,957,000 | $9,465,000 |
| Defensive end | $16,934,000 | $15,701,000 | $14,813,000 | $13,116,000 | $11,175,000 | $10,600,000 | $13,000,000 | $12,398,000 | $8,991,000 | $8,879,000 |
| Defensive tackle | $13,387,000 | $13,651,000 | $11,193,000 | $9,654,000 | $8,450,000 | $7,900,000 | $12,500,000 | $7,003,000 | $6,058,000 | $6,363,000 |
| Linebacker | $14,550,000 | $14,129,000 | $13,195,000 | $11,455,000 | $9,619,000 | $8,800,000 | $10,100,000 | $9,680,000 | $8,304,000 | $8,065,000 |
| Offensive linemen (Tackles, Guards, and Centers) |
$14,271,000 | $13,706,000 | $12,943,000 | $11,654,000 | $9,828,000 | $9,400,000 | $10,100,000 | $10,731,000 | $8,451,000 | $7,455,000 |
| Placekicker or Punter | $4,835,000 | $4,572,000 | $4,126,000 | $3,556,000 | $2,977,000 | $2,500,000 | $3,250,000 | $2,814,000 | $2,483,000 | $2,514,000 |
| Quarterback | $21,268,000 | $19,953,000 | $18,544,000 | $16,912,000 | $14,896,000 | $14,400,000 | $16,100,000 | $16,405,000 | $14,651,000 | $13,730,000 |
| Running Back (Fullbacks and Halfbacks) |
$12,120,000 | $11,789,000 | $10,951,000 | $9,540,000 | $8,219,000 | $7,700,000 | $9,600,000 | $8,156,000 | $6,621,000 | $6,538,000 |
| Safety | $10,896,000 | $10,806,000 | $9,618,000 | $8,433,000 | $6,916,000 | $6,200,000 | $8,800,000 | $6,455,000 | $6,342,000 | $4,396,000 |
| Tight end | $9,780,000 | $9,118,000 | $8,347,000 | $7,035,000 | $6,066,000 | $5,400,000 | $7,300,000 | $5,908,000 | $4,462,000 | $4,522,000 |
| Wide receiver | $15,682,000 | $14,599,000 | $12,823,000 | $12,312,000 | $10,537,000 | $9,400,000 | $11,400,000 | $9,521,000 | $9,884,000 | $7,848,000 |
Team tags
2017
- Franchise-tagged players[10]
- Arizona Cardinals - Chandler Jones, LB (Non-Exclusive)
- Carolina Panthers - Kawann Short, DT (Non-Exclusive): Signed 5 year contract for $80 million
- Los Angeles Chargers - Melvin Ingram, LB (Non-Exclusive)
- Los Angeles Rams - Trumaine Johnson, CB (Non-Exclusive)
- New York Giants - Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (Non-Exclusive): Signed 4 year contract for $62 million
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Le'Veon Bell, RB (Exclusive)
- Washington Redskins - Kirk Cousins, QB (Exclusive)
2016
- Franchise-tagged players [11]
- Baltimore Ravens - Justin Tucker, K (Non-Exclusive): signed 4-year contract for $16.8 million
- Buffalo Bills - Cordy Glenn, OT (Non-Exclusive): signed 5-year contract for $65 million
- Carolina Panthers - Josh Norman, CB (Rescinded April 20, 2016)
- Chicago Bears - Alshon Jeffery, WR (Non-Exclusive)
- Denver Broncos - Von Miller, OLB (Exclusive): signed 6-year contract for $114.5 million
- Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Berry, S (Non-Exclusive)
- Los Angeles Rams - Trumaine Johnson, CB (Non-Exclusive)
- New York Jets - Muhammad Wilkerson, DE (Non-Exclusive): signed 5-year contract for $86 million
- Washington Redskins - Kirk Cousins, QB (Non-Exclusive)
2015
- Franchise-tagged players [12]
- Dallas Cowboys - Dez Bryant, WR: signed 5-year contract for $70,000,000
- Denver Broncos - Demaryius Thomas, WR (Non-Exclusive)
- Kansas City Chiefs - Justin Houston, LB (Non-Exclusive)
- Miami Dolphins - Charles Clay, TE (Transitional)
- New England Patriots - Stephen Gostkowski, K (Non-Exclusive)
- New York Giants - Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (Non-Exclusive).
2014
- Franchise-tagged players
- Carolina Panthers - Greg Hardy DE[13]
- Cleveland Browns - Alex Mack C (Transitional)[14]
- New York Jets - Nick Folk K (Non-Exclusive)[15]
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Jason Worilds DE (Transitional)[14]
- Washington Redskins - Brian Orakpo OLB (Non-Exclusive)[16]
- New Orleans Saints - Jimmy Graham TE (Non-Exclusive)[14]
2013
- Franchise-tagged players
- Buffalo Bills - Jairus Byrd S (Non-Exclusive)
- Chicago Bears - Henry Melton DT
- Cincinnati Bengals - Michael Johnson DE
- Dallas Cowboys - Anthony Spencer LB
- Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady OT
- Indianapolis Colts - Pat McAfee P
- Kansas City Chiefs - Brandon Albert OT (Non-Exclusive)
- Miami Dolphins - Randy Starks DT
2012
- Franchise-tagged players
- New York Giants - Steve Weatherford P (Non-Exclusive)[19]
- Philadelphia Eagles - DeSean Jackson WR
- Detroit Lions - Cliff Avril DE (Non-Exclusive)[20]
- San Francisco 49ers - Dashon Goldson S (Non-Exclusive)[21]
- Oakland Raiders - Tyvon Branch SS (Non-Exclusive) [22]
- Atlanta Falcons - Brent Grimes CB [23]
- Washington Redskins - Fred Davis TE [24]
- Baltimore Ravens - Ray Rice RB [25]
- Chicago Bears - Matt Forte RB [26]
- Arizona Cardinals - Calais Campbell DE (Non-Exclusive) [27]
- Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Nugent K [28]
- Cleveland Browns - Phil Dawson K [29]
- New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees QB (Exclusive) [30]
- Denver Broncos - Matt Prater K [31]
- Dallas Cowboys - Anthony Spencer LB (Unknown) [32]
- New England Patriots - Wes Welker WR (Non-Exclusive) [33]
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Connor Barth K (Non-Exclusive) [34]
- Jacksonville Jaguars - Josh Scobee K [35]
- Kansas City Chiefs - Dwayne Bowe WR [36]
2011
- Franchise-tagged players
- New England Patriots - Logan Mankins G (Non-Exclusive) [37]
- Philadelphia Eagles - Michael Vick QB (Exclusive) [38]
- New York Jets - David Harris LB (Non-Exclusive) [39]
- San Diego Chargers - Vincent Jackson WR (Non-Exclusive) [40]
- Baltimore Ravens - Haloti Ngata DT (Non-Exclusive) [41]
- Indianapolis Colts - Peyton Manning QB (Exclusive) [42]
- Kansas City Chiefs - Tamba Hali LB (Non-Exclusive) [43]
- Minnesota Vikings - Chad Greenway LB (Non-Exclusive) [44]
- Cleveland Browns - Phil Dawson K (Non-Exclusive) [45]
- Carolina Panthers - Ryan Kalil C (Non-Exclusive) [46]
- Jacksonville Jaguars - Marcedes Lewis TE (Non-Exclusive) [47]
- Miami Dolphins - Paul Soliai DT (Non-Exclusive) [48]
- Oakland Raiders - Kamerion Wimbley LB (Non-Exclusive) [49]
2010
- Franchise-tagged players
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Reed K [50]
- Green Bay Packers - Ryan Pickett DT [51]
- Oakland Raiders - Richard Seymour DE (Exclusive) [52]
- San Francisco 49ers - Aubrayo Franklin DT [53]
- Seattle Seahawks - Olindo Mare K [54]
- New England Patriots - Vince Wilfork DT
2009
- Franchise-tagged players
- Arizona Cardinals - Karlos Dansby OLB (Non-exclusive) [55]
- Atlanta Falcons - Michael Koenen P (Non-exclusive) [56]
- Baltimore Ravens - Terrell Suggs OLB (Exclusive) [57]
- Carolina Panthers - Julius Peppers DE (Non-exclusive) [58]
- Cincinnati Bengals - Shayne Graham K (Non-exclusive) [59]
- Houston Texans - Dunta Robinson CB (Non-exclusive) [60]
- Green Bay Packers - Ryan Pickett NT (Non-exclusive) [61]
- New England Patriots - Matt Cassel QB (Non-exclusive)
- New York Giants - Brandon Jacobs RB (Non-exclusive) [62]
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Reed K (Non-Exclusive) [63]
- San Diego Chargers - Darren Sproles RB (Non exclusive) [64]
- Seattle Seahawks - Leroy Hill LB (Non-exclusive) (rescinded on April 27, 2009) [65]
- St. Louis Rams - Oshiomogho Atogwe FS (Non-exclusive) [66]
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Antonio Bryant WR (Non-exclusive) [67]
- Tennessee Titans - Bo Scaife TE (Non-exclusive) [68]
2008
- Franchise-tagged players
- Arizona Cardinals - Karlos Dansby LB (Non-exclusive)[69]
- Baltimore Ravens - Terrell Suggs LB (Non-exclusive)[70]
- Carolina Panthers - Jordan Gross OL (Non-exclusive)[71]
- Cincinnati Bengals - Stacy Andrews OL (Non-exclusive)[72]
- Dallas Cowboys - Ken Hamlin SS (Non-exclusive)[73]
- Green Bay Packers - Corey Williams DT (Non-exclusive)[74]
- Indianapolis Colts - Dallas Clark TE (Non-exclusive)[75]
- Kansas City Chiefs - Jared Allen DE (Non-exclusive)[76]
- Oakland Raiders - Nnamdi Asomugha CB (Exclusive) [77]
- Philadelphia Eagles - L.J. Smith TE (Non-exclusive)[78]
- Seattle Seahawks - Marcus Trufant CB (Non-exclusive)[79]
- Tennessee Titans - Albert Haynesworth DT (Non-exclusive)[80]
2007
- Franchise-tagged players
- Chicago Bears - Lance Briggs LB (Exclusive)
- Cincinnati Bengals - Justin Smith DE (Non-exclusive)
- Detroit Lions - Cory Redding DT (Non-exclusive)
- Indianapolis Colts - Dwight Freeney DE (Exclusive)
- New England Patriots - Asante Samuel CB (Non-exclusive)
- New Orleans Saints - Charles Grant DE (Non-exclusive)
- Seattle Seahawks - Josh Brown K (Non-exclusive)
References
- Notes
- ↑ Ochab, Charles (March 2007). "Don't Franchise Me! The NFL's Emerging Dilemma". The Illinois Business Law Journal.
- ↑ http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2017/03/nfl_free_agency_2017_franchise_transition_tag_numb.html
- ↑ http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14858518/2016-nfl-franchise-tag-values-every-position
- ↑ http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12408402/nfl-informs-teams-2015-salary-cap-14328-million
- ↑
- ↑
- 1 2 "Lower numbers could lead to record franchise tag designations". Yahoo Sports. February 19, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
- ↑ NFL franchise/transition tag tender amounts for 2010 season - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com
- ↑
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000788559/article/franchise-tag-roundup-who-has-been-designated?campaign=fb-nf-sf59471239-sf59471239
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000640089/article/franchise-tag-tracker-whos-been-tagged
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000475744/article/franchise-tag-tracker?campaign=Facebook_tagtracker
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000329988/article/greg-hardy-receives-carolina-panthers-franchise-tag
- 1 2 3 http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-franchise-tag-deadlines-ends-with-a-bang-030314
- ↑ http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/28/jets-use-franchise-tag-on-kicker-nick-folk/
- ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/03/03/redskins-apply-franchise-player-tag-to-brian-orakpo/
- ↑ "Franchise players named" (PDF). National Football League. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 11, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000146745/article/deadline-day-tracking-franchise-tags
- ↑ http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7649119/source-new-york-giants-punter-steve-weatherford-gets-franchise-tag
- ↑ http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/03/05/lions-use-franchise-tag-on-avril/
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82756ed9/article/niners-gm-baalke-says-they-will-keep-working-on-goldson-deal
- ↑ http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/01/raiders-apply-franchise-tag-to-branch/
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82755e0f/article/grimes-franchised-by-falcons-but-cb-not-ready-to-sign
- ↑ http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/02/redskins-use-franchise-tag-on-te-davis/
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d827577fd/article/ravens-apply-tag-to-rice-but-both-sides-want-longterm-deal
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8275a1a3/article/bears-apply-franchise-tag-to-rb-forte-still-want-longterm-deal
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82757600/article/cardinals-say-longterm-deal-with-campbell-remains-priority
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82757d0c/article/franchise-tag-will-keep-kicker-nugent-with-bengals-for-2012
- ↑ http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/02/browns-will-apply-franchise-tag-to-kicker-dawson/
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8275c9d5/article/saints-use-franchise-tender-on-brees-qbs-figure-144-million?module=HP11_breaking_news
- ↑ http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7647252/denver-broncos-franchise-tag-kicker-matt-prater-source-says
- ↑ http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/05/cowboys-use-franchise-tag-on-lb-spencer/?module=HP11_breaking_news
- ↑ http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/7648141/new-england-patriots-franchise-wes-welker-source-says/?module=HP11_breaking_news
- ↑ http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-place-franchise-tag-on-connor-barth-re-sign-jeremy/1218450
- ↑ http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7647426/kicker-josh-scobee-receives-jacksonville-jaguars-franchise-tag
- ↑ http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/05/3470362/chiefs-designate-bowe-as-their.html
- ↑ New England Patriots put franchise tag on Logan Mankins - ESPN Boston
- ↑ Eagles Franchise Vick, Place Transition Tag on Akers
- ↑ NFL.com news: Jets use franchise tag to keep standout LB Harris in fold
- ↑ San Diego Chargers place franchise tag on WR Vincent Jackson - ESPN
- ↑ Ngata Gets The Franchise Tag « Baltimore Ravens Blogs
- ↑ QB Peyton Manning receives franchise tag from Indianapolis Colts - ESPN
- ↑ NFL.com news: AFC sacks leader Hali receives franchise tag from Chiefs
- ↑ Chad Greenway of Minnesota Vikings gets franchise tag - ESPN
- ↑ Cleveland Browns use franchise tag on K Phil Dawson - ESPN
- ↑ Carolina Panthers franchise tag center Ryan Kalil - ESPN
- ↑ Jacksonville Jaguars place franchise tag on star TE Marcedes Lewis - ESPN
- ↑ Source: Miami Dolphins use franchise tag on DT Paul Soliai - ESPN
- ↑ Oakland Raiders tag Kamerion Wimbley; source says Stanford Routt to stay - ESPN
- ↑ Jeff Reed: Franchise Tag Buys Steelers Time for Extension Talks | Bleacher Report
- ↑ Packers Franchise Tag Ryan Pickett
- ↑ Richard Seymour of Oakland Raiders signs $12.4M franchise tag - ESPN
- ↑ San Francisco 49ers place franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin - ESPN
- ↑ Why Seahawks used franchise tag on Olindo Mare | Seattle Seahawks & NFL News - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- ↑ Cardinals place franchise tag on LB Karlos Dansby - USATODAY.com
- ↑ Falcons Franchise Their Punter
- ↑ Ravens place exclusive rights franchise tag on Terrell Suggs - ESPN
- ↑ Inside the Panthers
- ↑ Bengals News Home
- ↑ Robinson upset with Texans over franchise tag | Houston Texans Football | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
- ↑ Yahoo! Sports - Sports News, Scores, Rumors, Fantasy Games, and more
- ↑ 2.13 Giants Franchise RB Jacobs - Giants.com
- ↑ Steelers Designate Reed Franchise Player
- ↑ NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Chargers tag RB Sproles as franchise player «
- ↑ Seattle Seahawks tag linebacker Leroy Hill - ESPN
- ↑ Archived February 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Bucs plan to use franchise tag on WR Bryant «
- ↑ http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090219/SPORTS01/90219040/
- ↑ Cardinals place franchise tag on linebacker Dansby - NFL - ESPN
- ↑ Ravens franchise Suggs at LB; he says he should be DE - NFL - ESPN
- ↑ Unable to reach long-term deal, Panthers tag Gross
- ↑ Bengals designate OL Andrews franchise player - NFL - ESPN
- ↑ Archived February 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Green Bay Packers news | News, sports, features, blogs, photos and forums about the Green Bay Packers | packersnews.com
- ↑ Unable to reach long-term deal, Colts franchise tag Clark - NFL - ESPN
- ↑ Chiefs put franchise tag on Allen, who wants to stay - NFL - ESPN
- ↑ Raiders slap exclusive franchise tag on CB Asomugha
- ↑ Healthy L.J. Smith gets Eagles' franchise tag - NFL - ESPN
- ↑ Report: Seahawks place franchise tag on Trufant - NFL - ESPN
- ↑ Titans make DT Albert Haynesworth a franchise player - NFL - ESPN
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