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+--- Thread: Franchise Tag rules explained (/showthread.php?tid=20123)
Franchise Tag rules explained - Montana Tom - 02-08-2025
It's a bit more complicated than just "tag and trade". You gotta be willing to gamble that you can live with any outcome.
First off, an NFL team can franchise tag a player and then trade them if the player signs a tender with the new team.
Explanation
The franchise tag is a one-year contract that teams can use to keep players from becoming unrestricted free agents.
There are three types of franchise tags: non-exclusive, exclusive, and transition.
The Non-exclusive Tag allows the player to negotiate with other teams.
If a player is tagged with a non-exclusive tag and signs with another team, the original team can match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks.
The player must sign the tender to be traded to another team.
What happens if a player doesn't sign a long-term contract?
If a player doesn't sign a long-term contract by the deadline, they will play on the one-year deal or hold out.
If a player holds out, they may not earn a salary.
If a player holds out for a long time, they may sign a deal with another team in the following offseason.
The NFL Exclusive Franchise Tag is a one-year contract offer to a player that prevents them from negotiating with other teams. The tag is more expensive than the non-exclusive tag and is rarely used.
Rules
The tag's value is the greater of the player's previous salary multiplied by 120% or the average of the top five salaries at their position
The tag's value increases each time a player is tagged
The player's team has all negotiating rights
The tag counts fully against the team's salary cap
The team can withdraw the tender at any time, making the player an unrestricted free agent
How it works
The team determines if any pending free agents are worth tagging
The team offers the player a one-year contract
The player can negotiate with other teams, but the team can match any offer or receive two first-round picks if the player signs with another team
Comparison to the non-exclusive tag
The non-exclusive tag is more common than the exclusive tag
With the non-exclusive tag, the player can negotiate with other teams, but the original team can match the offer
The The NFL Transition Tag is a designation that allows teams to retain unrestricted free agents. It gives the original team the right to match any offer made by another team.
Rules
Eligibility: The transition tag can be used on impending unrestricted free agents.
Salary: The transition tag salary is based on the average of the top 10 salaries at the player's position over the previous five years.
Matching: The original team has seven days to match an offer sheet. If they don't, they receive no compensation.
Rescinding: A team can rescind a transition tag, but they can't use it again until the next season.
Signing a contract: If a player signs a contract after receiving the transition tag, the original team can't use the tag again until the contract expires.
Number of tags: Each club can only use one transition tag per offseason.
Benefits
The transition tag is cheaper than both franchise tags.
Players can negotiate with other teams while on the transition tag.
Example
In 2024, the New England Patriots used the transition tag on safety Kyle Dugger.
RE: Franchise Tag rules explained - purplefaithful - 02-08-2025
That's a good reminder...
How the Vikings go will depend on their desired goal and outcome of course.
Are they looking to retain Sam? At a given #?
Do they have no intention of keeping Sam, but want to try and garner a pick or two?
This will all play out soon!
]
RE: Franchise Tag rules explained - comet52 - 02-08-2025
This is why I've said that tag/trade is only possible if Darnold and his agent will cooperate. Is there a benefit to them for doing so? Maybe, if the tag sets a higher floor than the actual market. Hard to say. There's no way the team just puts the tag on him and hopes things work out. It has to be via an agreement they make, which obviously they aren't going to broadcast to the world.
RE: Franchise Tag rules explained - NorseFeathers - 02-08-2025
Pickings a little slim for free agent QB's this year. The draft only has 2 or 3 first round QBs as well. The Vikings have to be at least considering some sort of sign and trade for Sam. If the Vikings take the risk by franchising Sam with hopes of trading him, and they lose by having to keep Sam at $39m, it may slow the development of JJ for a year but they have to consider the picking up a year of team development by possibly picking up a few more draft picks, possibly as much as two 1st rounders. It may make up for the giving up of cap space for a year while picking up 2 first round talents on rookie contracts. I think I'd take the chance.
FA QB's
Sam Darnold
Zach Wilson
Trey Lance
Jacoby Brissett
Marcus Mariota
Drew Lock
Jarrett Stidham
Andy Dalton
Justin Fields
Joe Flacco
Jameis Winston
Mac Jones
Jimmy Garoppolo
Case Keenum
Mason Rudolph
Easton Stick
Taylor Heinicke
Cooper Rush
Carson Wentz
Joshua Dobbs
Brandon Allen
Nick Mullens
Kyle Trask
Josh Johnson
C.J. Beathard
Kyle Allen
Russell Wilson
Teddy Bridgewater
Jeff Driskel
Tyler Huntley
Daniel Jones
Brett Rypien
Will Grier
Tim Boyle
Shane Buechele
Ian Book
Desmond Ridder
RE: Franchise Tag rules explained - purplefaithful - 02-08-2025
Lol - that's a lot of names!
Darnold is clearly #1 on that lengthy list - but you know? I wouldn't mind having Jimmy G in the QB room this year with JJM if they cant keep Dimes.