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What is the NFL franchise tag and which players could be tagged this offseason?
As the Philadelphia Eagles’ stunning Super Bowl LIX victory begins to disappear in the rearview mirror, the NFL offseason gathers pace, with the first big date for the diary coming up this week.
NFL team builders barely get time to draw breath after the season’s climax, with free agency and the draft two pivotal offseason events, but first comes the franchise tag deadline.
DAZN News takes a look at what this means and which players could be set to receive the tag in the coming days.
What is the NFL franchise tag?
Simply put, the franchise tag can be used by NFL teams to prevent them from leaving in free agency. Should a player get tagged, they will receive a one-year tender.
The tag can only be used once per team per offseason and only used on a player who is due to become an unrestricted free agent.
What are the three types of franchise tag?
There are three different types of franchise tag: the non-exclusive tag, the exclusive tag and the transition tag.
The exclusive tag prohibits a player from negotiating with another team. It guarantees the player a salary that is either calculated on the average of the top five salaries from that player’s position during the current year, or is 120 per cent of the player’s previous salary - whichever is the highest.
The non-exclusive tag allows a player to negotiate with other teams. However, the original team has the option to match or refuse other offers and be awarded two first-round draft picks as compensation. The salary for this tag is determined by the average of the top five salaries from that player’s position from the previous five years or 120 per cent of the player’s previous salary - again, whichever is highest.
Finally, the transition tag is similar to the non-exclusive tag, but if the player does depart, the original team does not receive compensation.
When is the 2025 franchise tag deadline?
NFL teams can begin to franchise tag players from Tuesday, February 18, with the deadline falling on Tuesday, March 4 at 9pm GMT / 4pm ET.
Who could be franchise tagged this year?
Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
Last year saw only nine players franchise-tagged and many are predicting an even slower uptake over the next fortnight
Cincinnati Bengals wide reciever Tee Higgins played on the franchise tag last season and could do so again in 2025. As one off the most talented players set for free agency, the Bengals may have to dig their heels in of they are to keep the wideout.
Sam Darnold enjoyed a career-best year with the Minnesota Vikings, who now face one of the biggest offseason decisions in the NFL. The Vikings were flying under the former New York Jets QB, before they ended the season with two disappointing defeats. Using the tag on Darnold would cost just less than $40million and give the team another season to see if their 2024 first round draft pick J.J. McCarthy is their future franchise QB.
The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line may have been rocked to their very core by a rampant Eagles defensive front in Super Bowl LIX, but guard Trey Smith, who is set for free agency is a vital part of their line. The Chiefs would need to make some moves if they are to create cap space to tag Smith, but will not want to see him go.
Finally, the Miami Dolphins could be tempted to tag safety Jevon Holland. Again, the Dolphins’ salary cap position could make this one hard to do, but Holland’s performances in the secondary make him one to watch.
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