Strategic Moves in the NFL Offseason: The Role of Franchise Tags in 2025
The NFL offseason, often a time of strategic maneuvering, showcases the league's delicate balance between player retention and team flexibility. At the heart of these strategies is the utilization of franchise tags, a mechanism designed to help teams retain essential talent while navigating the complexities of salary cap management.
In the upcoming 2025 season, NFL franchises will have a critical 15-day window, spanning from February 18 to March 4, to apply these tags to their top players. With the salary cap for the season projected to range between $265 million and $275 million, front offices are tasked with meticulously evaluating their options to maximize both performance and fiscal responsibility.
Franchise tags come in two distinct forms: exclusive and non-exclusive. The non-exclusive tag is calculated based on either 120% of the player's previous pay or the average salary of the top five players at their position, whichever sum is greater. This option allows players to negotiate offers with other teams, granting their current team the right to match any outside proposals. Meanwhile, the exclusive franchise tag provides the player with the higher of the salary calculations and restricts them from engaging with other franchises.
Alongside these options is the transition tag, which calculates compensation based on the average of the top ten salaries in the player's position, also incorporating a 120% provision. However, the transition tag falls short in not providing compensatory picks if a player signs elsewhere.
According to a source, "The franchise tag operated more like it was originally intended this year," hinting at a return to the fundamental purpose of these tags. Nevertheless, the challenge remains as fewer than half of the players tagged from 2021 to 2023 secured long-term agreements. In recent history, seven out of eight franchise-tagged players did manage to secure multiyear deals, demonstrating varied success in player negotiations.
In a noteworthy move, the Cincinnati Bengals have placed a $21.816 million franchise tag on Tee Higgins, underscoring the strategic importance of securing key players under financial constraints. Meanwhile, transitioning from his tenure with the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson now finds himself making plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighting the dynamic nature of player movements during the offseason.
In another strategic endeavor, the Minnesota Vikings have entered into a $10 million one-year "bridge" deal with quarterback Sam Darnold. Letting Darnold venture into free agency without a franchise tag could liberate $65 million in cap space for the Vikings, yet it might also forfeit the opportunity for a 2026 compensatory draft pick. As a source noted, "There's a possibility that the Vikings wouldn't get a 2026 compensatory draft pick by letting Darnold walk in free agency." This predicament underscores the delicate balance teams face in player retention versus future draft assets.
Additionally, the Vikings could explore the intriguing strategy of utilizing the franchise tag as a trading chip. "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," another source suggested. Such a move could potentially bring significant value in return without sacrificing the player's immediate contribution.
However, not all tag scenarios are palatable. For instance, Chris Godwin finds himself in a financially challenging position if tagged again due to the calculations involved, which could become unaffordable for his current team. These examples illustrate the intricate and sometimes precarious financial gymnastics that teams must perform during the offseason.
As we look ahead to the 2025 season, the application of franchise tags will remain a pivotal tool for teams navigating a competitive and ever-evolving NFL landscape. With franchise tags having been applied 22 times over the past three seasons, averaging seven applications annually, their impact on player retention and team strategy remains a critical narrative to follow.