The NFL franchise tag window has officially opened, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. This marks the beginning of a crucial two-week period in the league calendar where teams can secure the rights to impending free agents before the start of the new league year.
Per @RapSheet, the opening of this window allows all 32 franchises to designate one pending free agent with either a franchise or transition tag. This designation effectively keeps the player under contract for the upcoming season, providing teams and players with a broader timeframe to negotiate a potential long-term contract extension.
The application of the tag is a significant strategic maneuver for NFL front offices. It is most commonly used on high-impact players—such as quarterbacks, edge rushers, and wide receivers—to prevent them from reaching the open market where they could sign with a competitor. The salary for a tagged player is determined by the average of the top salaries at their specific position, or 120 percent of their previous year's salary, whichever is greater.
Teams now have until the early March deadline to officially notify the league of their intent to use the tag. If a player is tagged, the two parties typically have until mid-July to finalize a multi-year deal. If no agreement is reached by that deadline, the player is required to play the season under the one-year tender.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
- TWITTERThe window has opened.
