The NFL offseason is officially shifting gears. With the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror, teams are now staring down a critical stretch: the contract decision phase.
We’ve already seen a few eye-opening moves-Miami, for instance, just parted ways with two notable veterans. But starting today, things get even more interesting with the opening of the franchise tag window.
From now until March 3rd, teams have the option to apply one of three tags-exclusive franchise, non-exclusive franchise, or transition-on a pending free agent. Each tag comes with its own set of rules, perks, and pitfalls.
And here’s the kicker: teams only get one shot at it per offseason. One player, one tag.
So every decision counts.
Let’s break down what each tag means, how they work, and what kind of strategy might come into play.
Exclusive Franchise Tag: Locking It Down
This is the most restrictive-and most secure-option for teams. The exclusive franchise tag gives a team sole negotiating rights with the player.
No other team can swoop in with an offer. The salary attached to this tag is calculated based on the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position, so it’s not cheap.
But it gives the team time and leverage to work out a long-term deal.
Take Dallas Cowboys wideout Georgia Pickens as a hypothetical. After a breakout season, he’s clearly due for a big contract.
But if Jerry Jones and the front office aren’t ready to commit to a long-term deal just yet, the exclusive tag gives them breathing room. It keeps Pickens off the market and buys time until the mid-July deadline to negotiate a deal.
If they want to trade him, he’d have to sign the tag first-so the team still controls the process.
Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag: The Match Game
This version is a little looser. It still gives the player a one-year deal at a top-five salary average, but it also allows other teams to make offers.
If another team puts a deal on the table, the original team has the right to match it and retain the player. If they decline, they get compensated with two first-round picks.
We saw this play out recently with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Baltimore used the non-exclusive tag, effectively inviting other teams to set the market. No one bit, but it gave the Ravens a chance to evaluate Jackson’s value through the eyes of the rest of the league-and potentially match any deal without doing the negotiating legwork themselves.
It’s a bit of a gamble, but for teams confident they’ll match any offer-or believe no one will top theirs-it’s a smart play.
Transition Tag: A Budget-Friendly Option with a Catch
Then there’s the transition tag. This one uses the average of the top 10 salaries at a player’s position-so it’s slightly more cap-friendly.
Like the non-exclusive tag, it allows other teams to negotiate with the player. And the original team still has the right to match.
But here’s the difference: if they choose not to match, they don’t get any compensation. No picks.
No trade-off. The player walks, and the team gets nothing in return.
This could come into play with someone like Breece Hall in New York. The Jets are in a bit of a reset mode, and while they might want to keep Hall around, they may not want to pay him top-tier money.
The transition tag lets them stay in the game without fully committing. If another team comes in with an offer too rich for their liking, they can let Hall walk-but they do so knowing they won’t get anything back.
The Clock Is Ticking
Teams have until March 3rd to make their decision. After that, it’s either work out a deal or risk losing the player in free agency.
And while tags offer a level of control, they don’t guarantee smooth sailing. Players can refuse to sign the tag and hold out.
Until they put pen to paper, they’re not obligated to show up for OTAs, training camp, or even games-and they can’t be fined for it.
So while the franchise tag is a powerful tool, it’s also a delicate one. Use it right, and it can bridge the gap to a long-term deal. Use it wrong, and you might end up with a disgruntled star sitting on the sidelines.
Bottom line: the tag window may not be as flashy as free agency or the draft, but it’s just as pivotal. Over the next few weeks, we’ll see which teams are willing to pay to keep their stars-and which are ready to let the market decide their value.