A Franchise Tag is a one-year contract that an NFL team can use to keep a key player from becoming a free agent. It guarantees the player a top salary at his position and stops him from signing with another team.
In real life, you’ll hear fans say things like, “The Cowboys put the Franchise Tag on Dak again,” or see tweets asking, “Why didn’t the Chiefs tag Tyreek?” It’s a quick way to talk about which stars might stay or leave each off-season.
Meaning & Usage Examples
- “The Ravens used the non-exclusive Franchise Tag on Lamar Jackson.”
- “If we don’t reach a long-term deal, we’ll just tag him next year.”
Context / Common Use
Teams use the tag to buy time for new contracts or to keep a vital player for one more playoff run. Players usually want long-term security, so negotiations heat up right after the tag is applied.
Can a player refuse the Franchise Tag?
No. He can hold out and skip games, but he can’t sign with another NFL team unless the tag is rescinded or traded.
How many times can a team tag the same player?
Twice. After the second tag, the player must either sign a long-term deal or become a free agent.
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