It’s Tagging Time

Yesterday was the deadline for teams to use the franchise or transition tag on players whose contracts were set to expire. 

Teams have three tagging options to restrict the movement of players.

1. Non-exclusive Franchise Tag

This is the most commonly used tag. This is a one-year tender of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position over the last five years, or 120% of his previous salary, whichever is greater. The tagged player can negotiate with other teams but his current team has the right to match any offer. If the current team doesn’t match the offer, they receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. 

2. Exclusive Franchise Tag

Unlike the non-exclusive franchise tag, the tagging team retains the sole right to negotiate with the tagged player. This is a one-year tender of the average of top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year, or 120% of his previous salary, whichever is greater. Few players receive the exclusive franchise tag. If a player does receive this tag, he’s probably a quarterback.

3. Transition Tag

The transition tag is a one-year tender of the average of the top ten salaries at the player’s position. It guarantees the tagging team the right to match any offer the player might receive from another team. If the current team doesn’t match the offer, there is no compensation. 

Deadlines spur action. As the deadline approached yesterday, there was a flurry of tagging activity. After the modest flurry cloud cleared, nine players had been tagged. Eight had been slapped with non-exclusive franchise tag. One had been slapped with a transition tag.

Non-exclusive Franchise Tag:

Josh Allen, Edge, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brian Burns, Edge, Carolina Panthers

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears

Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore Ravens

Michael Pittman, WR, Indianapolis Colts

L’Jarius Snead, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Transition Tag:

Kyle Dugger, S, New England Patriots

Nine players tagged. There were few surprises as all nine have been considered prime candidates for tagging since the tagging window opened. Perhaps Kyle Dugger receiving the little-used transition tag was a surprise. 

The Kansas City Chiefs have stated that they would entertain trade talks for L’Jarius Snead. So, despite the tags, it’s no guarantee that all nine tagged players will remain with the tagging teams. But, it’s likely. 

Now, it’s on to NFL Free Agency 2024.