Strategic Moves in the NFL Offseason: The Role of Franchise Tags
The NFL offseason—the critical period of strategic maneuvering for franchises—is a time for decisive planning that can significantly affect a team’s trajectory in the upcoming season. Key to these strategic efforts are the mechanisms of franchise tags, tools that enable teams to retain top talents under their current contracts.
In 2025, the NFL teams are granted a defined window—from February 18 to March 4—to secure their valued players using these mechanisms. There are two types of franchise tags: exclusive and non-exclusive. The non-exclusive franchise tag allows players some flexibility, permitting them to negotiate with other teams. In contrast, the exclusive tag restricts players from exploring external opportunities, firmly keeping them tethered to their current team.
The intricacies involved in franchise tags are numerous, with financial calculations forming the cornerstone of their application. The non-exclusive tag’s cost is determined by taking either 120% of the player’s previous salary or the mean of the top five salaries for their position, opting for the larger sum. On the other hand, the exclusive tag guarantees an even heftier payout, ensuring the player remains with their home team without external negotiations.
Another notable option is the transition tag, which utilizes the average of the top ten salaries at the player’s position and also includes a 120% salary provision. However, the transition tag is less comprehensive compared to the franchise tags, particularly because it doesn’t provide compensation if the tagged player is courted away by another team.
Understanding the Economic Implications
The economic details behind these tags have real implications for both players and organizations. Over the last three seasons, franchise tags have been employed 22 times, with an annual average of seven applications, showcasing their strategic importance within the league.
Despite the pivotal role franchise tags play, their outcomes have varied. In one recent year, seven out of eight players tagged secured multi-year contracts, indicating a level of stability achieved through these negotiations. However, between 2021 and 2023, fewer than half of the players tagged managed to secure long-term deals, highlighting the unpredictable nature of contract negotiations.
The Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold's Situation
The Minnesota Vikings find themselves at the crossroads of such strategic decisions, particularly concerning quarterback Sam Darnold. Currently on a $10 million one-year "bridge" deal, Darnold's future with the Vikings poses intriguing financial questions. If Darnold exits, the Vikings could free up a substantial $65 million in cap space, a decision that carries significant financial implications.
Not using a franchise tag on Darnold has its potential pitfalls. An unnamed source suggests, "There's a possibility that the Vikings wouldn't get a 2026 compensatory draft pick by letting Darnold walk in free agency." Furthermore, with Darnold projected as a top quarterback option in the open market, the same source considers using a franchise tag to trade Darnold as a viable option, stating, "Since Darnold would clearly be the top quarterback available on the open market, using a franchise tag to trade him isn't out of the question."
The Broader NFL Landscape
Across the league, the impact of franchise and transition tags can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances and market demands. For instance, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was slapped with a $21.816 million franchise tag, locking his potential amidst ongoing negotiations.
Similarly, the issue of spiraling costs underlines Chris Godwin's uncertain scenario if he were to face tagging again, which could see him ensnared in an unaffordably high financial figure due to the calculation methods involved.
Migrating players also factor into these strategic decisions, such as Russell Wilson, who now suits up for the Pittsburgh Steelers after an era in Denver. Such personnel shifts further exemplify the transformative power of the offseason and the multitude of financial levers teams can operate.
Looking Ahead
As the NFL anticipates a salary cap projection of $265 million to $275 million for 2025, these strategic decisions become all the more critical. The trade-offs between retaining current talent versus exploring new opportunities are at play, with the goal of optimizing roster composition balanced against financial constraints.
As this offseason unfolds, the franchise tag continues to serve as a pivotal instrument in structuring teams, its operation demonstrating more closely aligned with its original purpose. The decisions made in this brief window will not only shape rosters but also the future competitiveness of these NFL franchises.