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 have 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
2018
- Franchise-tagged players
- Detroit Lions - Ezekiel Ansah, DE[10]
- Miami Dolphins – Jarvis Landry, WR (Non-Exclusive)[11]
- Dallas Cowboys – DeMarcus Lawrence, DE[12]
2017
- Franchise-tagged players[13]
- Arizona Cardinals – Chandler Jones, LB (Non-Exclusive)
- Carolina Panthers – Kawann Short, DT (Non-Exclusive): Signed 5-year contract for $80 million
- Los Angeles Rams – Trumaine Johnson, CB (Non-Exclusive)
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Le'Veon Bell, RB (Exclusive)
- Washington Redskins – Kirk Cousins, QB (Exclusive)
2016
- Franchise-tagged players [14]
- 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 [15]
- 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[16]
- Cleveland Browns – Alex Mack C (Transitional)[17]
- New Orleans Saints – Jimmy Graham TE (Non-Exclusive)[17]
- New York Jets – Nick Folk K (Non-Exclusive)[18]
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Jason Worilds DE (Transitional)[17]
- Washington Redskins – Brian Orakpo OLB (Non-Exclusive)[19]
2013
- 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
- Arizona Cardinals – Calais Campbell DE (Non-Exclusive) [22]
- Atlanta Falcons – Brent Grimes CB [23]
- Baltimore Ravens – Ray Rice RB [24]
- Chicago Bears – Matt Forte RB [25]
- Cincinnati Bengals – Mike Nugent K [26]
- Cleveland Browns – Phil Dawson K [27]
- Dallas Cowboys – Anthony Spencer LB (Unknown) [28]
- Denver Broncos – Matt Prater K [29]
- Detroit Lions – Cliff Avril DE (Non-Exclusive)[30]
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Josh Scobee K [31]
- Kansas City Chiefs – Dwayne Bowe WR[32]
- New England Patriots – Wes Welker WR (Non-Exclusive) [33]
- New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees QB (Exclusive) [34]
- New York Giants – Steve Weatherford P (Non-Exclusive)[35]
- Oakland Raiders – Tyvon Branch SS (Non-Exclusive) [36]
- Philadelphia Eagles – DeSean Jackson WR
- San Francisco 49ers – Dashon Goldson S (Non-Exclusive)[37]
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Connor Barth K (Non-Exclusive) [38]
- Washington Redskins – Fred Davis TE [39]
2011
- Franchise-tagged players
- New England Patriots – Logan Mankins G (Non-Exclusive) [40]
- Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Vick QB (Exclusive) [41]
- New York Jets – David Harris LB (Non-Exclusive) [42]
- San Diego Chargers – Vincent Jackson WR (Non-Exclusive) [43]
- Baltimore Ravens – Haloti Ngata DT (Non-Exclusive) [44]
- Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning QB (Exclusive) [45]
- Kansas City Chiefs – Tamba Hali LB (Non-Exclusive) [46]
- Minnesota Vikings – Chad Greenway LB (Non-Exclusive) [47]
- Cleveland Browns – Phil Dawson K (Non-Exclusive) [48]
- Carolina Panthers – Ryan Kalil C (Non-Exclusive) [49]
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Marcedes Lewis TE (Non-Exclusive) [50]
- Miami Dolphins – Paul Soliai DT (Non-Exclusive) [51]
- Oakland Raiders – Kamerion Wimbley LB (Non-Exclusive) [52]
2010
- Franchise-tagged players
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Jeff Reed K [53]
- Green Bay Packers – Ryan Pickett DT [54]
- Oakland Raiders – Richard Seymour DE (Exclusive) [55]
- San Francisco 49ers – Aubrayo Franklin DT [56]
- Seattle Seahawks – Olindo Mare K [57]
- New England Patriots – Vince Wilfork DT
2009
- Franchise-tagged players
- Arizona Cardinals – Karlos Dansby OLB (Non-exclusive) [58]
- Atlanta Falcons – Michael Koenen P (Non-exclusive) [59]
- Baltimore Ravens – Terrell Suggs OLB (Exclusive) [60]
- Carolina Panthers – Julius Peppers DE (Non-exclusive) [61]
- Cincinnati Bengals – Shayne Graham K (Non-exclusive) [62]
- Houston Texans – Dunta Robinson CB (Non-exclusive) [63]
- Green Bay Packers – Ryan Pickett NT (Non-exclusive) [64]
- New England Patriots – Matt Cassel QB (Non-exclusive)
- New York Giants – Brandon Jacobs RB (Non-exclusive) [65]
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Jeff Reed K (Non-Exclusive) [66]
- San Diego Chargers – Darren Sproles RB (Non exclusive) [67]
- Seattle Seahawks – Leroy Hill LB (Non-exclusive) (rescinded on April 27, 2009) [68]
- St. Louis Rams – Oshiomogho Atogwe FS (Non-exclusive) [69]
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Antonio Bryant WR (Non-exclusive) [70]
- Tennessee Titans – Bo Scaife TE (Non-exclusive) [71]
2008
- Franchise-tagged players
- Arizona Cardinals – Karlos Dansby LB (Non-exclusive)[72]
- Baltimore Ravens – Terrell Suggs LB (Non-exclusive)[73]
- Carolina Panthers – Jordan Gross OL (Non-exclusive)[74]
- Cincinnati Bengals – Stacy Andrews OL (Non-exclusive)[75]
- Dallas Cowboys – Ken Hamlin SS (Non-exclusive)[76]
- Green Bay Packers – Corey Williams DT (Non-exclusive)[77]
- Indianapolis Colts – Dallas Clark TE (Non-exclusive)[78]
- Kansas City Chiefs – Jared Allen DE (Non-exclusive)[79]
- Oakland Raiders – Nnamdi Asomugha CB (Exclusive) [74]
- Philadelphia Eagles – L.J. Smith TE (Non-exclusive)[80]
- Seattle Seahawks – Marcus Trufant CB (Non-exclusive)[81]
- Tennessee Titans – Albert Haynesworth DT (Non-exclusive)[82]
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.
- ^ "NFL Free Agency 2017: Franchise tag numbers set".
- ^ "2016 NFL franchise tag values for every position".
- ^ "NFL sets salary cap for 2015 at $143.28M".
- ^ "Franchise tag numbers for 2014 are set". 1 March 2014.
- ^ "NFL sets franchise, transition tag numbers".
- ^ a b "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".
- ^ "2009 NFL Franchise/Transition Tag Numbers".
- ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000917791/article/detroit-lions-place-franchise-tag-on-ezekiel-ansah?campaign=tw-nf-sf183160845-sf183160845&sf183160845=1]]
- ^ "Dolphins use franchise tag on receiver Jarvis Landry". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Cowboys use franchise tag on DE DeMarcus Lawrence". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Franchise tag roundup: Browns decline tag for Pryor".
- ^ "Franchise tag tracker: Who's been tagged?".
- ^ "Franchise Tag Tracker".
- ^ "Greg Hardy receives Carolina Panthers' franchise tag".
- ^ a b c "NFL franchise-tag deadline ends with a bang – FOX Sports". 3 March 2014.
- ^ "Jets use franchise tag on kicker Nick Folk". 28 February 2014.
- ^ Jones, Mark Maske and Mike (3 March 2014). "Redskins apply franchise player tag to Brian Orakpo (updated)".
- ^ "Franchise players named" (PDF). National Football League. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Deadline day: Tracking franchise tags".
- ^ "Cardinals say long-term deal with Campbell remains priority".
- ^ "Grimes franchised by Falcons, but CB not ready to sign".
- ^ "Ravens apply tag to Rice, but both sides want long-term deal".
- ^ "Bears apply franchise tag to RB Forte, still want long-term deal".
- ^ "Franchise tag will keep kicker Nugent with Bengals for 2012".
- ^ "Official Blog of the National Football League". NFL.com.
- ^ "Official Blog of the National Football League". NFL.com.
- ^ "Broncos place franchise tag on kicker Prater".
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Kicker Scobee receives Jaguars' franchise tag".
- ^ Teicher, Adam (6 March 2012). "Chiefs designate Bowe as their franchise player – KansasCity.com". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Welker receives Patriots' franchise tender".
- ^ "Saints use exclusive-rights franchise tag on QB Brees".
- ^ "Giants punter Weatherford given franchise tag".
- ^ "Official Blog of the National Football League". NFL.com.
- ^ "Niners GM Baalke says they will keep working on Goldson deal".
- ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers place franchise tag on Connor Barth, re-sign Jeremy Zuttah to four-year deal". Tampa Bay Times.
- ^ "Official Blog of the National Football League". NFL.com.
- ^ "Patriots put franchise tag on Pro Bowler Mankins". ESPN.com. 14 February 2011.
- ^ "Football News Nows". www.footballnewsnow.com.
- ^ "Jets use franchise tag to keep standout LB Harris in fold".
- ^ "Chargers place franchise tag on WR Jackson". ESPN.com. 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Ngata Gets The Franchise Tag « Baltimore Ravens Blogs".
- ^ "Colts give QB Manning exclusive franchise tag". ESPN.com. 15 February 2011.
- ^ "AFC sacks leader Hali receives franchise tag from Chiefs".
- ^ "Vikings linebacker Greenway gets franchise tag". ESPN.com. 21 February 2011.
- ^ "Browns will use franchise tag on kicker Dawson". ESPN.com. 22 February 2011.
- ^ "Panthers slap franchise tag on center Kalil". ESPN.com. 22 February 2011.
- ^ "Jaguars place franchise tag on star TE Lewis". ESPN.com. 23 February 2011.
- ^ "Source: Dolphins use franchise tag on DT Soliai". ESPN.com. 24 February 2011.
- ^ "Raiders tag Wimbley; source says Routt to stay". ESPN.com. 24 February 2011.
- ^ DeWitt, Nick. "Jeff Reed: Franchise Tag Buys Steelers Time for Extension Talks".
- ^ Packers Franchise Tag Ryan Pickett
- ^ "Raiders DL Seymour signs $12.4M franchise tag". ESPN.com. 19 June 2010.
- ^ "Niners put franchise tag on nose tackle Franklin". ESPN.com. 23 February 2010.
- ^ "Why Seahawks used franchise tag on Olindo Mare". 24 February 2010.
- ^ "Cardinals place franchise tag on LB Karlos Dansby – USATODAY.com". www.usatoday.com.
- ^ Falcons Franchise Their Punter
- ^ "Ravens slap franchise tag on pass rusher Suggs". ESPN.com. 18 February 2009.
- ^ "Inside the Panthers". blogs.charlotte.com.
- ^ "Bengals News Home".
- ^ "Robinson upset with Texans over franchise tag".
- ^ "NFL on Yahoo! Sports – News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games". Yahoo! Sports.
- ^ "Giants.com – The Official Website of the New York Giants".
- ^ "Steelers Designate Reed Franchise Player".
- ^ "Official Blog of the National Football League". NFL.com.
- ^ "Seahawks tag Hill with hope of long-term deal". ESPN.com. 19 February 2009.
- ^ [1] Archived February 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Official Blog of the National Football League". NFL.com.
- ^ http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090219/SPORTS01/90219040/
- ^ "Cardinals place franchise tag on linebacker Dansby". ESPN.com. 15 February 2008.
- ^ "Ravens franchise Suggs, but at what position?". ESPN.com. 19 February 2008.
- ^ a b "News – Around the NFL". NFL.com.
- ^ "Bengals designate OL Andrews franchise player".
- ^ [2] 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".
- ^ "No deal so Colts put franchise tag on TE Clark". ESPN.com. 19 February 2008.
- ^ "Chiefs slap franchise tag on defensive end Allen". ESPN.com. 19 February 2008.
- ^ "Eagles place franchise tag on tight end L.J. Smith". ESPN.com. 8 February 2008.
- ^ "Report: Seahawks place franchise tag on Trufant".
- ^ "Titans make DT Albert Haynesworth a franchise player".