A franchise tag is a one-year contract offer that an NFL team can use to keep one of its best players from becoming a free agent. It locks the player in for a single season at a set salary, giving the team more time to negotiate a long-term deal or decide his future.
On sports talk radio or Twitter, you’ll hear fans say things like “They should slap the franchise tag on their star quarterback” or “He got tagged, so he’ll earn top-five QB money next year.” It’s shorthand for “we’re keeping him one more year, no bidding war.”
Meaning & Usage Examples
• The team can use the franchise tag once per offseason.
• Tagged players get either the average of the top five salaries at their position or 120% of their previous salary, whichever is higher.
• Example: “Dallas placed the franchise tag on their linebacker—he’ll make $20 million for one season.”
Context / Common Use
Teams often tag star players when long-term contract talks stall. Players usually prefer a multi-year deal for security, so negotiations heat up right before the July deadline. If no deal is reached, the player plays under the tag and re-enters free agency the next year.
Can a player refuse the franchise tag?
No. If he signs the tender, he must play. He can hold out, but he won’t get paid and still can’t join another team.
How many times can a team tag the same player?
Twice. The second tag costs more, and a third tag is rarely used because the price becomes extremely high.
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