Franchise tag - wikipedia Franchise tag In the National Football League ( NFL ), the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team only has one franchise tag ( of either the exclusive or non-exclusive forms ) and one transition tag per year. The transition tag can only be used if the team does not use a franchise tag. Perhaps originally designed to reduce player movement to bigger markets, which is often evidenced in the other major pro sports leagues, the NFL revenue sharing and a hard salary cap have placed teams on an even playing field relative to salaries. The tag options allow NFL franchises an extended bargaining period for a player that they feel is key to their success. Usually reserved for players of great skill or of high importance to the team, a franchise tag allows a team 's general manager the privilege of strategically retaining valuable free - agent players while seeking talent through the NFL draft or other acquisitions without exceeding the League 's salary cap. The designated franchise player will have his one - year salary guaranteed if he elects to play for the team that designated him with the franchise tag and if he does not negotiate a contract with another team. Contents 1 Background 2 Historical data 2.1 Salary averages 2.2 Team tags 2.2. 1 2017 2.2. 2 2016 2.2. 3 2015 2.2. 4 2014 2.2. 5 2013 2.2. 6 2012 2.2. 7 2011 2.2. 8 2010 2.2. 9 2009 2.2. 10 2008 2.2. 11 2007 3 References Background The National Football League introduced the franchise tag in 1993. There are two types of franchise tag designations : the exclusive rights franchise tag, and non-exclusive rights franchise tag : An `` exclusive '' franchise player must be offered a one - year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player 's position as of a date in April of the current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player 's previous year 's salary, whichever is greater. Exclusive franchise players can not negotiate with other teams. The player 's team has all the negotiating rights to the exclusive player. A `` non-exclusive '' franchise player must be offered a one - year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five cap hits at the player 's position for the previous five years applied to the current salary cap, or 120 percent of the player 's previous year 's salary, whichever is greater. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if the player signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first - round draft picks as compensation. Under the Capped years a team can designate one additional player only as a transitional tag. A transition player must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player 's position or 120 percent of the player 's prior year 's salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first - refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation. Historical data Salary averages Exclusive franchise player costs by position Position 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2009 2008 Cornerback $14,212,000 $13,952,000 $13,075,000 $11,834,000 $10,854,000 $10,600,000 $13,500,000 $9,566,000 $9,957,000 $9,465,000 Defensive end $16,934,000 $15,701,000 $14,813,000 $13,116,000 $11,175,000 $10,600,000 $13,000,000 $12,398,000 $8,991,000 $8,879,000 Defensive tackle $13,387,000 $13,651,000 $11,193,000 $9,654,000 $8,450,000 $7,900,000 $12,500,000 $7,003,000 $6,058,000 $6,363,000 Linebacker $14,550,000 $14,129,000 $13,195,000 $11,455,000 $9,619,000 $8,800,000 $10,100,000 $9,680,000 $8,304,000 $8,065,000 Offensive linemen ( Tackles, Guards, and Centers ) $14,271,000 $13,706,000 $12,943,000 $11,654,000 $9,828,000 $9,400,000 $10,100,000 $10,731,000 $8,451,000 $7,455,000 Placekicker or Punter $4,835,000 $4,572,000 $4,126,000 $3,556,000 $2,977,000 $2,500,000 $3,250,000 $2,814,000 $2,483,000 $2,514,000 Quarterback $21,268,000 $19,953,000 $18,544,000 $16,912,000 $14,896,000 $14,400,000 $16,100,000 $16,405,000 $14,651,000 $13,730,000 Running Back ( Fullbacks and Halfbacks ) $12,120,000 $11,789,000 $10,951,000 $9,540,000 $8,219,000 $7,700,000 $9,600,000 $8,156,000 $6,621,000 $6,538,000 Safety $10,896,000 $10,806,000 $9,618,000 $8,433,000 $6,916,000 $6,200,000 $8,800,000 $6,455,000 $6,342,000 $4,396,000 Tight end $9,780,000 $9,118,000 $8,347,000 $7,035,000 $6,066,000 $5,400,000 $7,300,000 $5,908,000 $4,462,000 $4,522,000 Wide receiver $15,682,000 $14,599,000 $12,823,000 $12,312,000 $10,537,000 $9,400,000 $11,400,000 $9,521,000 $9,884,000 $7,848,000 Team tags 2017 Franchise - tagged players Arizona Cardinals - Chandler Jones, LB ( Non-Exclusive ) Carolina Panthers - Kawann Short, DT ( Non-Exclusive ) : Signed 5 - year contract for $80 million Pittsburgh Steelers - Le'Veon Bell, RB ( Exclusive ) Washington Redskins - Kirk Cousins, QB ( Exclusive ) 2016 Franchise - tagged players Baltimore Ravens - Justin Tucker, K ( Non-Exclusive ) : signed 4 - year contract for $16.8 million Buffalo Bills - Cordy Glenn, OT ( Non-Exclusive ) : signed 5 - year contract for $65 million Carolina Panthers - Josh Norman, CB ( Rescinded April 20, 2016 ) Chicago Bears - Alshon Jeffery, WR ( Non-Exclusive ) Denver Broncos - Von Miller, OLB ( Exclusive ) : signed 6 - year contract for $114.5 million Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Berry, S ( Non-Exclusive ) Los Angeles Rams - Trumaine Johnson, CB ( Non-Exclusive ) New York Jets - Muhammad Wilkerson, DE ( Non-Exclusive ) : signed 5 - year contract for $86 million Washington Redskins - Kirk Cousins, QB ( Non-Exclusive ) 2015 Franchise - tagged players Dallas Cowboys - Dez Bryant, WR : signed 5 - year contract for $70,000,000 Denver Broncos - Demaryius Thomas, WR ( Non-Exclusive ) Kansas City Chiefs - Justin Houston, LB ( Non-Exclusive ) Miami Dolphins - Charles Clay, TE ( Transitional ) New England Patriots - Stephen Gostkowski, K ( Non-Exclusive ) New York Giants - Jason Pierre - Paul, DE ( Non-Exclusive ). 2014 Franchise - tagged players Carolina Panthers - Greg Hardy DE Cleveland Browns - Alex Mack C ( Transitional ) New York Jets - Nick Folk K ( Non-Exclusive ) Pittsburgh Steelers - Jason Worilds DE ( Transitional ) Washington Redskins - Brian Orakpo OLB ( Non-Exclusive ) New Orleans Saints - Jimmy Graham TE ( Non-Exclusive ) 2013 Franchise - tagged players Buffalo Bills - Jairus Byrd S ( Non-Exclusive ) Chicago Bears - Henry Melton DT Cincinnati Bengals - Michael Johnson DE Dallas Cowboys - Anthony Spencer LB Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady OT Indianapolis Colts - Pat McAfee P Kansas City Chiefs - Brandon Albert OT ( Non-Exclusive ) Miami Dolphins - Randy Starks DT Source 2012 Franchise - tagged players New York Giants - Steve Weatherford P ( Non-Exclusive ) Philadelphia Eagles - DeSean Jackson WR Detroit Lions - Cliff Avril DE ( Non-Exclusive ) San Francisco 49ers - Dashon Goldson S ( Non-Exclusive ) Oakland Raiders - Tyvon Branch SS ( Non-Exclusive ) Atlanta Falcons - Brent Grimes CB Washington Redskins - Fred Davis TE Baltimore Ravens - Ray Rice RB Chicago Bears - Matt Forte RB Arizona Cardinals - Calais Campbell DE ( Non-Exclusive ) Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Nugent K Cleveland Browns - Phil Dawson K New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees QB ( Exclusive ) Denver Broncos - Matt Prater K Dallas Cowboys - Anthony Spencer LB ( Unknown ) New England Patriots - Wes Welker WR ( Non-Exclusive ) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Connor Barth K ( Non-Exclusive ) Jacksonville Jaguars - Josh Scobee K Kansas City Chiefs - Dwayne Bowe WR 2011 Franchise - tagged players New England Patriots - Logan Mankins G ( Non-Exclusive ) Philadelphia Eagles - Michael Vick QB ( Exclusive ) New York Jets - David Harris LB ( Non-Exclusive ) San Diego Chargers - Vincent Jackson WR ( Non-Exclusive ) Baltimore Ravens - Haloti Ngata DT ( Non-Exclusive ) Indianapolis Colts - Peyton Manning QB ( Exclusive ) Kansas City Chiefs - Tamba Hali LB ( Non-Exclusive ) Minnesota Vikings - Chad Greenway LB ( Non-Exclusive ) Cleveland Browns - Phil Dawson K ( Non-Exclusive ) Carolina Panthers - Ryan Kalil C ( Non-Exclusive ) Jacksonville Jaguars - Marcedes Lewis TE ( Non-Exclusive ) Miami Dolphins - Paul Soliai DT ( Non-Exclusive ) Oakland Raiders - Kamerion Wimbley LB ( Non-Exclusive ) Franchise - tagged players Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Reed K Green Bay Packers - Ryan Pickett DT Oakland Raiders - Richard Seymour DE ( Exclusive ) San Francisco 49ers - Aubrayo Franklin DT Seattle Seahawks - Olindo Mare K New England Patriots - Vince Wilfork DT 2009 Franchise - tagged players Arizona Cardinals - Karlos Dansby OLB ( Non-exclusive ) Atlanta Falcons - Michael Koenen P ( Non-exclusive ) Baltimore Ravens - Terrell Suggs OLB ( Exclusive ) Carolina Panthers - Julius Peppers DE ( Non-exclusive ) Cincinnati Bengals - Shayne Graham K ( Non-exclusive ) Houston Texans - Dunta Robinson CB ( Non-exclusive ) Green Bay Packers - Ryan Pickett NT ( Non-exclusive ) New England Patriots - Matt Cassel QB ( Non-exclusive ) New York Giants - Brandon Jacobs RB ( Non-exclusive ) Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Reed K ( Non-Exclusive ) San Diego Chargers - Darren Sproles RB ( Non exclusive ) Seattle Seahawks - Leroy Hill LB ( Non-exclusive ) ( rescinded on April 27, 2009 ) St. Louis Rams - Oshiomogho Atogwe FS ( Non-exclusive ) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Antonio Bryant WR ( Non-exclusive ) Tennessee Titans - Bo Scaife TE ( Non-exclusive ) 2008 Franchise - tagged players Arizona Cardinals - Karlos Dansby LB ( Non-exclusive ) Baltimore Ravens - Terrell Suggs LB ( Non-exclusive ) Carolina Panthers - Jordan Gross OL ( Non-exclusive ) Cincinnati Bengals - Stacy Andrews OL ( Non-exclusive ) Dallas Cowboys - Ken Hamlin SS ( Non-exclusive ) Green Bay Packers - Corey Williams DT ( Non-exclusive ) Indianapolis Colts - Dallas Clark TE ( Non-exclusive ) Kansas City Chiefs - Jared Allen DE ( Non-exclusive ) Oakland Raiders - Nnamdi Asomugha CB ( Exclusive ) Philadelphia Eagles - L.J. Smith TE ( Non-exclusive ) Seattle Seahawks - Marcus Trufant CB ( Non-exclusive ) Tennessee Titans - Albert Haynesworth DT ( Non-exclusive ) 2007 Franchise - tagged players Chicago Bears - Lance Briggs LB ( Exclusive ) Cincinnati Bengals - Justin Smith DE ( Non-exclusive ) Detroit Lions - Cory Redding DT ( Non-exclusive ) Indianapolis Colts - Dwight Freeney DE ( Exclusive ) New England Patriots - Asante Samuel CB ( Non-exclusive ) New Orleans Saints - Charles Grant DE ( Non-exclusive ) Seattle Seahawks - Josh Brown K ( Non-exclusive ) References Notes Jump up ^ Ochab, Charles ( March 2007 ). `` Do n't Franchise Me ! The NFL 's Emerging Dilemma ''. The Illinois Business Law Journal. Jump up ^ `` NFL Free Agency 2017 : Franchise tag numbers set ''. Jump up ^ `` 2016 NFL franchise tag values for every position ''. Jump up ^ `` NFL sets salary cap for 2015 at $143.28 M ''. Jump up ^ `` Franchise tag numbers for 2014 are set ''. 1 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` NFL sets franchise, transition tag numbers ''. ^ Jump up to : `` Lower numbers could lead to record franchise tag designations ''. Yahoo Sports. February 19, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2015. Jump up ^ `` NFL franchise / transition tag tender amounts for 2010 season ''. Jump up ^ `` 2009 NFL Franchise / Transition Tag Numbers ''. Jump up ^ `` Franchise tag roundup : Browns decline tag for Pryor ''. Jump up ^ `` Franchise tag tracker : Who 's been tagged ? ''. Jump up ^ `` Franchise Tag Tracker ''. Jump up ^ `` Greg Hardy receives Carolina Panthers ' franchise tag ''. ^ Jump up to : `` NFL franchise - tag deadline ends with a bang - FOX Sports ''. 3 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` Jets use franchise tag on kicker Nick Folk ''. 28 February 2014. Jump up ^ Jones, Mark Maske and Mike ( 3 March 2014 ). `` Redskins apply franchise player tag to Brian Orakpo ( updated ) ''. Jump up ^ `` Franchise players named '' ( PDF ). National Football League. Archived ( PDF ) from the original on March 11, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Deadline day : Tracking franchise tags ''. Jump up ^ `` Giants punter Weatherford given franchise tag ''. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2012 - 03 - 09. Retrieved 2012 - 03 - 05. Jump up ^ `` Niners GM Baalke says they will keep working on Goldson deal ''. Jump up ^ `` Official Blog of the National Football League ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ `` Grimes franchised by Falcons, but CB not ready to sign ''. Jump up ^ `` Official Blog of the National Football League ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ `` Ravens apply tag to Rice, but both sides want long - term deal ''. Jump up ^ `` Bears apply franchise tag to RB Forte, still want long - term deal ''. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals say long - term deal with Campbell remains priority ''. Jump up ^ `` Franchise tag will keep kicker Nugent with Bengals for 2012 ''. Jump up ^ `` Official Blog of the National Football League ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ `` Saints use exclusive - rights franchise tag on QB Brees ''. Jump up ^ `` Broncos place franchise tag on kicker Prater ''. Jump up ^ `` Official Blog of the National Football League ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ `` Welker receives Patriots ' franchise tender ''. Jump up ^ `` Tampa Bay Buccaneers place franchise tag on Connor Barth, re-sign Jeremy Zuttah to four - year deal ''. Tampa Bay Times. Jump up ^ `` Kicker Scobee receives Jaguars ' franchise tag ''. Jump up ^ Teicher, Adam ( 6 March 2012 ). `` Chiefs designate Bowe as their franchise player - KansasCity.com ''. Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown ( link ) Jump up ^ `` Patriots put franchise tag on Pro Bowler Mankins ''. ESPN.com. 14 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Football News Nows ''. www.footballnewsnow.com. Jump up ^ `` Jets use franchise tag to keep standout LB Harris in fold ''. Jump up ^ `` Chargers place franchise tag on WR Jackson ''. ESPN.com. 15 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Ngata Gets The Franchise Tag `` Baltimore Ravens Blogs ''. Jump up ^ `` Colts give QB Manning exclusive franchise tag ''. ESPN.com. 15 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` AFC sacks leader Hali receives franchise tag from Chiefs ''. Jump up ^ `` Vikings linebacker Greenway gets franchise tag ''. ESPN.com. 21 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Browns will use franchise tag on kicker Dawson ''. ESPN.com. 22 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Panthers slap franchise tag on center Kalil ''. ESPN.com. 22 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Jaguars place franchise tag on star TE Lewis ''. ESPN.com. 23 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Source : Dolphins use franchise tag on DT Soliai ''. ESPN.com. 24 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Raiders tag Wimbley ; source says Routt to stay ''. ESPN.com. 24 February 2011. Jump up ^ DeWitt, Nick. `` Jeff Reed : Franchise Tag Buys Steelers Time for Extension Talks ''. Jump up ^ Packers Franchise Tag Ryan Pickett Jump up ^ `` Raiders DL Seymour signs $12.4 M franchise tag ''. ESPN.com. 19 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Niners put franchise tag on nose tackle Franklin ''. ESPN.com. 23 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` Why Seahawks used franchise tag on Olindo Mare ''. 24 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals place franchise tag on LB Karlos Dansby - USATODAY.com ''. www.usatoday.com. Jump up ^ Falcons Franchise Their Punter Jump up ^ `` Ravens slap franchise tag on pass rusher Suggs ''. ESPN.com. 18 February 2009. Jump up ^ `` Inside the Panthers ''. blogs.charlotte.com. Jump up ^ `` Bengals News Home ''. Jump up ^ `` Robinson upset with Texans over franchise tag ''. Jump up ^ `` NFL on Yahoo ! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games ''. Yahoo Sports. Jump up ^ `` Giants.com - The Official Website of the New York Giants ''. Jump up ^ `` Steelers Designate Reed Franchise Player ''. Jump up ^ `` Official Blog of the National Football League ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ `` Seahawks tag Hill with hope of long - term deal ''. ESPN.com. 19 February 2009. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Archived February 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Official Blog of the National Football League ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090219/SPORTS01/90219040/ Jump up ^ `` Cardinals place franchise tag on linebacker Dansby ''. ESPN.com. 15 February 2008. Jump up ^ `` Ravens franchise Suggs, but at what position ? ''. ESPN.com. 19 February 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` News - Around the NFL ''. NFL.com. Jump up ^ `` Bengals designate OL Andrews franchise player ''. Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Archived February 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Green Bay Packers news - News, sports, features, blogs, photos and forums about the Green Bay Packers - packersnews.com ''. Jump up ^ `` No deal so Colts put franchise tag on TE Clark ''. ESPN.com. 19 February 2008. Jump up ^ `` Chiefs slap franchise tag on defensive end Allen ''. ESPN.com. 19 February 2008. Jump up ^ `` Eagles place franchise tag on tight end L.J. Smith ''. ESPN.com. 8 February 2008. Jump up ^ `` Report : Seahawks place franchise tag on Trufant ''. Jump up ^ `` Titans make DT Albert Haynesworth a franchise player ''. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Franchise_tag&oldid=805583404 '' Categories : National Football League lists Hidden categories : CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown Webarchive template wayback links Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Italiano Edit links This page was last edited on 16 October 2017, at 09 : 49. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what does it mean to franchise a player in the nfl
Answer: binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met