The franchise tag has been a common tool for NFL teams to keep some of their top players, and also to limit the free agent market. Without truly elite pieces, free agency is always less expensive—and at the same time, it's frequent to see good players receive great contracts.

However, there are fewer realistic candidates to the franchise tag than normal. Outside of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who's expected to get the tag for the second consecutive season, it's hard to imagine many other players receiving it—or even the transition tag, which is already usually less frequent.

The franchise/transition tag window goes from February 18 through March 4.

Franchise tag candidates

WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Higgins played under the tag in 2024, and he will do it again in 2025 according to a recent report. As such, the wide receiver will make $26.18 million this season. For the Bengals, it would be helpful to sign Higgins to a long-term extension, because a third tag in 2026 would be 140% of his previous salary. That means a one-year, $35.97 million deal.

QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

With JJ McCarthy still getting back from injury, it would make sense for the Vikings to keep Sam Darnold around for a second season after a strong performance in 2024. The problem is that a quarterback's franchise tag is $41.325 million, and everything hits the salary cap at once. A transition tag at $35.267 million could be more realistic here, because it would give the Vikings a chance to match any outside offer—if they don't match it, there would be no compensation, not even a compensatory pick.

CB Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings

Even though Darnold is the big name to watch because of his position, the more likely Vikings candidate is Murphy. He was an important part of the defense in 2024, but he's 27 and has had too many ups and downs during his NFL career, which could fairly scare the Vikings of giving him a long-term deal. The franchise tag for cornerbacks is projected to be around $20.357 million.

S Tre'von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders

Moehrig is a really good player, and the Raiders will probably want to keep him. If no deal is reached before the franchise tag window is closed, it's possible that the Raiders opt to secure him for another season. The tag for a safety is $19.626 million, which may be too much for him.

The transition tag could be a better option, because $15.598 million is more realistic, and the Raiders will be able to match any offer sheet if that happens.

DT Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are projected to be $4.5 million over the cap, so applying a franchise tag will be rough. However, Odighizuwa was one of the top defensive players of the team in 2024, especially as an interior rusher. The tag for defensive tackles is $23.468 million, though, which ultimately makes it an unlikely proposition.

DT Milton Williams and EDGE Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have several potential candidates, but Zack Baun becomes unlikely because off-ball linebackers are grouped with 3-4 outside linebackers who actually are edge defenders. So Milton Williams ($23.468 million) and Josh Sweat ($24.727 million), two Super Bowl stars, would remain. Howie Roseman isn't high on applying franchise tags because of how it affects the salary cap, though, so both are expected to hit the open market after all.

What are the franchise/transition tags and how are they used?

A team can use one of the two variations of the franchise tag, or transition tag, on any impending restricted or unrestricted free agent. Teams can only use one tag per season and it must be applied from 22 days before the start of the new league year until the eighth day preceding the new league year. So, the 2024 window will be February 20 – March 5.

As mentioned above, there are three total types of tags:

Non-exclusive franchise tag: The most commonly used tag, this allows players to negotiate with other teams after being tagged. The salary is a one-year deal that's either comprised of a formula based off previous salaries at the same position, as well as previous and current salary cap figures, or, the equivalent of 120% of the player's previous year salary – whichever is greater. If a pursuing team gives this player an offer sheet, the current team has five days to match the offer sheet or the player heads to his new home. If the latter happens, then the acquiring team hands over two first-round draft picks, in exchange.

Exclusive franchise tag: This tag is rarely used and it does not allow players to negotiate with other teams. It essentially locks them into a one-year deal that's either comprised of a formula based off the average of the top-5 previous year salaries at their position at the end of the restricted free agent signing period, or, the amount of the non-exclusive franchise tag – whichever is greater.

Transition tag: This tag isn't used very often, either. The cheapest of the three, the transition tag is a one-year deal that is either comprised of the average of the top-10 salaries at a player's position from the previous year, or, 120% of said player's own previous year salary – whichever is greater. Teams do hold rights of first refusal in this instance, like the non-exclusive tag, except there is no draft compensation if a team lets a player walk. Teams also have five days to match an offer sheet, like the non-exclusive tag.

Understanding the basics of NFL Free Agency

A handy guide that can help you navigate the complicated world of free agency.