NFL Free Agency Tag Deadline
Nine Players Receive Labels
Seven Defensive Players Head List
All Franchise Tags were Non-Exclusive labels
One Transitional Tag
Offense
Wideouts
Tee Higgins – Bengals
Michael Pittman – Colts
Defense
Edge Defenders
Josh Allen – Jaguars
Brian Burns – Panthers
Interior Linemen
Justin Madubuike – Ravens
Corners
Jaylon Johnson – Bears
L’Jarious Sneed – Chiefs
Safeties
Antoine Winfield – Bucs
Kyle Dugger – Patriots (Transition Label – Top 10 at position)
There are three tender options: 1) Non-exclusive franchise tag; 2) Exclusive franchise tag; 3) Transition tag.
Non-exclusive Franchise tag:
The most commonly used tag. When most refer to the “franchise tag,” they generally talk about the non-exclusive version. 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 percent 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 or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation if he signs with another club.
Exclusive Franchise tag:
Unlike the non-exclusive version, the tagging team retains the sole right to negotiate with the player. The exclusivity raises the pay scale (current average salary versus averaging of the previous five years). This is a one-year tender offer of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year, or 120 percent of his previous salary, whichever is greater. Few receive the exclusive tag. Generally, players for whom other teams would gladly give up two first-round picks receive this version of the tag — read: quarterbacks.
Transition tag:
The transition tag is a one-year tender offer for the average of the top 10 salaries at the position — as opposed to the top five for the franchise tag. It guarantees the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer the player might receive from another club. The tagging team is awarded no compensation if it chooses not to match a deal
