The Crucial Role of NFL Franchise Tags in Offseason Strategy
The NFL offseason may not offer the thrill of a packed stadium or the drama of a game-winning touchdown, but it’s a pivotal period for strategic maneuvers that define team futures. Central to this strategy is the use of franchise tags, a mechanism designed to help teams retain their top talent and plan their finances in preparation for the upcoming season.
This annual strategy session reached its zenith from February 18 to March 4 in 2025 when teams had their 15-day window to lock in key players using these crucial franchise tags. The two variants, exclusive and non-exclusive, offer clubs distinct advantages depending on their circumstances and player prospects.
The non-exclusive franchise tag, calculated either as 120% of the player's previous salary or the average of the top five salaries at their position—whichever is greater—affords players the freedom to negotiate with other teams, while granting their current team the right to match any offers. The exclusive franchise tag, however, grants the player the highest calculated salary amongst their peers and prohibits them from speaking with other teams, ensuring an ironclad retention for the club.
Negotiations and Strategic Moves
The transition tag, another tool at teams’ disposal, is calculated using the average of the top ten salaries at a player’s position. However, while it still includes a 120% raise provision, it does not offer any compensatory picks if other teams secure the player with unmatchable offers.
This year, the franchise tag appeared to "operate more like it was originally intended," reflecting a balance between securing star players and allowing team restructuring, as noted by an unnamed source. Over the last few seasons, franchise tags were applied 22 times, averaging seven annually, which illustrates just how vital this tool remains in the league’s dynamics.
Contracts and tags form a crucial part of player security too. In recent years, only seven out of eight players who were tagged agreed to multiyear deals, highlighting the uncertain nature for players under these tags. From 2021 to 2023, fewer than half of tagged players successfully negotiated longer-term deals, showing a notable decline in players opting for security over potential freedom or higher salaries.
Financial Implications for Teams
The 2025 salary cap is projected to fall between $265 million and $275 million, presenting significant financial considerations for teams. For instance, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves in a particularly intriguing scenario with quarterback Sam Darnold. Currently on a $10 million one-year "bridge" contract, Darnold's potential departure could free up a staggering $65 million in cap space for the Vikings.
While sending Darnold into free agency might mean the Vikings forgo a 2026 compensatory draft pick, as one source speculated, using the franchise tag to potentially negotiate a trade could also be on the table. "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," a source suggested.
For other players like Chris Godwin, consecutive tagging could lead to financially untenable situations due to the way tag calculations stack, limiting teams' flexibility in long-term planning.
Case Studies: Decisions and Outcomes
Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to place a $21.816 million franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins exemplifies the calculated risk teams take to ensure talent retention. By securing Higgins, Cincinnati bolsters its ambitions for a deep playoff run, making a statement about the importance of maintaining a strong core.
Elsewhere in the league, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson's transition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, after his departure from the Denver Broncos, epitomizes the shifting tides in NFL team compositions. Players opting for new challenges elsewhere, whether facilitated by franchise tag negotiations or free agency, underline the fluid nature of team-building efforts in the modern NFL.
The franchise tag, thus, represents more than just a financial or contractual decision—it’s an integral part of a team’s broader strategy to balance immediate performance demands with long-term planning, embodying the complex interplay between player ambitions, market dynamics, and team objectives. As the NFL evolves, these tags remain a cornerstone of roster management, providing a fascinating subtext to the intricate theater of professional football.