The Strategic Dance of NFL Offseason: Franchise Tags and Their Impact
The NFL offseason often resembles a high-stakes chess match. Teams maneuver strategically, making moves that can shape their prospects for years. In this context, franchise tags stand out as a critical tool for retaining top talent. An NFL team's decision-making process within the 15-day window—this year from February 18 to March 4—can be transformative for both players and franchises.
The Mechanics of Franchise Tags
Franchise tags come in two primary forms: exclusive and non-exclusive. The non-exclusive franchise tag is tied to calculations based either on 120% of a player's previous salary or the average of the top five salaries at their position. This affords players the opportunity to negotiate with other teams, a dynamic that adds layers of complexity as current teams retain the right to match any offers.
On the other hand, the exclusive franchise tag is more restrictive and prevents the player from speaking with other teams, potentially leaving the player feeling more like a captive talent. Meanwhile, the transition tag—though less commonly used—calculates compensation using the average of the top ten salaries at the player's position, without providing the same compensatory benefits if an offer is not matched.
Current Trends and Their Implications
Recent years have seen a varied application of franchise tags, offering a reflection of the evolving strategies within the league. Seven out of eight players with franchise tags recently secured multiyear agreements. However, between 2021 and 2023, fewer than half of those tagged managed to secure longer-term deals. Over the past three seasons, there have been 22 franchise tag applications, averaging about seven per year. This data reflects a cautious yet strategic use of franchise tags within the NFL landscape.
Salary Cap Dynamics
The financial impact of these decisions cannot be understated. With the NFL salary cap for 2025 projected between $265 million and $275 million, teams are meticulously planning their expenditures. A player like Sam Darnold, currently on a $10 million one-year "bridge" deal with the Minnesota Vikings, exemplifies these considerations. Letting him go could free up $65 million in cap space for the Vikings. However, the lack of a franchise tag might mean missing out on a 2026 compensatory draft pick—an outcome the team must weigh carefully. As one source noted, "There's a possibility that the Vikings wouldn't get a 2026 compensatory draft pick by letting Darnold walk in free agency."
In some scenarios, teams might even use a franchise tag as a strategic asset for trades. Given Darnold's stature, it was observed, "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."
Challenges for Teams and Players
Not all scenarios are favorable for repeated franchise tagging. Chris Godwin might find himself in a costly dilemma if tagged again due to the cumulative effects of the calculations, which are designed to become progressively expensive for teams.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals exemplified a high-stakes use of the franchise tag by placing a price of $21.816 million on Tee Higgins. Teams like the Bengals are placing significant bets in hopes of controlling talented players without hampering their financial flexibility severely.
Shifts in Player Landscape
Changing teams also brings its own intrigue. The movement of acknowledged talents such as Russell Wilson, who now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers after parting ways with the Denver Broncos, showcases how fluid the player landscape can become during the offseason.
The NFL offseason, with its employment of strategies such as franchise tagging, is a fascinating period that can dictate a franchise's future trajectory. The stakes are high, and decisions made within this period can determine success or disappointment in the seasons that follow. As one insider colorfully put it, "The franchise tag operated more like it was originally intended this year."