As the NFL offseason moves into full swing, teams across the league are making strategic decisions that could shape their futures for years to come. One of the more distinctive tools at their disposal is the use of the franchise tag—a mechanism that, while often a point of contention between players and teams, remains a cornerstone of team strategy.
The Mechanics of the Franchise Tag
The franchise tag itself is a complex yet powerful tool. Set within a 15-day window from February 18 to March 4, 2025, teams have the opportunity to secure their top talent with either an exclusive or non-exclusive franchise tag. The non-exclusive tag offers a dual calculation formula, applying either 120% of a player's previous year's salary or the average of the top five salaries for their position—whichever is greater. With this tag, players are allowed to negotiate with other teams, though their current team retains the right to match any external offer.
The exclusive tag builds upon this structure, ensuring the player receives the highest salary calculation while barring them from negotiation with other teams, giving his current franchise the ultimate bargaining chip. An additional tool in the team's arsenal is the transition tag, which relies on the average of the top ten salaries at the position and also includes the 120% rule. However, unlike the franchise tag, it does not offer compensation if the original team decides not to match a competing offer.
A Look at Recent Applications
The effectiveness and usage of these tags have shown varied results in recent seasons. Over the last three years, franchise tags have been applied 22 times, which equates to an average of seven applications annually. Interestingly, in a recent year, seven out of eight players tagged went on to sign multi-year agreements, indicating perhaps a return to the tag's original function as a placeholder for longer-term negotiations. However, between 2021 and 2023, less than half of those tagged secured such deals.
Financial Considerations
The financial landscape is also primed for change, with the 2025 NFL salary cap projected to hover between $265 million and $275 million. Teams are acutely aware of how these figures will influence their cap space, dictating their maneuverability. The Minnesota Vikings, for instance, could explore significant cap space—up to $65 million—if Sam Darnold departs. On a $10 million one-year contract, Darnold potentially represents the Vikings’ strategy of using a "bridge" deal while they decide on longer-term commitments. Speculation abounds that, should they choose not to use a franchise tag on Darnold, the Vikings might forgo a 2026 compensatory draft pick. One source notes, "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."
Notable Player Scenarios
Some cases, such as Chris Godwin's, underline the pressures teams face. For him, another franchise tag is financially untenable, presenting a scenario where rising contractual averages could render team retention attempts futile. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals opted to place a $21.816 million franchise tag on standout Tee Higgins, reinforcing their commitment to building around their offensive core.
Ongoing Player Dynamics
Player movement also continues to reshape the NFL landscape. In a notable shift, Russell Wilson finds himself with the Pittsburgh Steelers, having previously ended his tenure with the Denver Broncos. His move adds to a compelling narrative of team reconfigurations and strategic alignments as franchises strive to best position themselves under the scrutinizing eyes of their fanbases and stakeholders.
All these considerations underscore the intricate dance of financial planning and personnel management during the NFL offseason. While some deals may develop into long-term commitments, others will stand as temporary solutions as teams attempt to adapt and thrive in a constantly evolving league environment. As observed this year, "The franchise tag operated more like it was originally intended," suggesting a renewed adherence to its foundational purpose and the nuanced nature of team-player negotiations.