Is the Franchise tag good or bad? Exploring the controversial NFL Franchise Tag for NFL teams and players

Modified Feb 24, 2023 17:03 GMT

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens — Quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sideline as the Baltimore Ravens play against the Pittsburgh Steelers

Due to an important date on the league calendar, the NFL free-agent season will pick up speed over the coming days as franchises get a jump start on their 2023 salary cap issue.

Clubs can use the franchise tag, introduced as part of the initial collective bargaining agreement in 1993, to secure special contractual rights with one impending unrestricted free agent or position themselves for a significant payout if that player leaves for another team.

Expand Tweet

Negotiating deals may be complicated, especially when significant sums of money and extended time frames are involved. Consider a situation where a team wants to keep one of its best players after his contract expires. Here, agreeing on a contract renewal would be the best course of action.

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

The organization may put a franchise tag on the player when it's time for him to enter unrestricted free agency. So, the player is tied to the squad he has been a part of all season.

For that label, the player in question will either make an average of the season's yearly wage of the top 5 players at his position or 120% of his salary from the previous season, whichever is larger.

Expand Tweet

Who benefits more from the NFL Franchise tag: the player or the team?

Both the teams and the players stand to gain from this in an obvious way. With little to no negotiation, teams can hold onto a key player who could otherwise appear to be leaving, while the players receive a big check to bolster their financial situation.

Players cannot formally refuse NFL franchise tags. Instead, they can try to exert pressure on their team. Each tag also includes other bargaining rights guaranteed for the player and the team.

As its name suggests, an "exclusive" tag grants the team sole negotiating authority. If a player declines the offer, they are prohibited from signing with another NFL team for the duration of the current season.

However, non-exclusive tags allow players to bargain with other franchises. Their present side has the chance to accept an offer if they do and if they decide not to match the competitor's offer, they are eligible to earn two first-round draft picks in exchange .

The club has an advantage in terms of power. This can sometimes result in dissatisfaction and subpar performances on the pitch.

Expand Tweet