Non Exclusive Franchise Tag Work where NFL players can hammer out with other teams. The process is done by following the request of the tag.
Non Exclusive Tags are special tools that every NFL team can utilize on the players they seek to keep. When their player of interest heads out as a free agent due to his contract ending, the teams can place these tags on them to negotiate for contract extensions.
These tags will lengthen the period of extensions even after free agency commences during the offseason. Now, it is up to the team and the tagged player to negotiate contractual extensions. However, the negotiation team must adhere to certain conditions for signing the contract due to the ‘tag.’
NFL teams must be updated about their costs, contract lengths, conditions, and player performances before deciding who to place the tag on.
In 2023, these tags were applied to first-round picks like Lamar Jackson, Steve Young, and Saquon Barkley. Jackson got the tag from Baltimore Ravens on February 7, 2023. The NY Giants also placed their tag on Barkley on the same day.
Non Exclusive Franchise Tag Meaning
Non Exclusive Tag is a mechanism the NFL teams use to retain one of their specific players with franchise value.
When the Tag is applied, the NFL team will place their tagged player under a one-year contract. It will give more time for the tagging team to come up with a long-term contract for their athlete during that one year.
The player can choose to negotiate with their team and others simultaneously. The NFL team can match the offer their player and other teams are presenting too.
However, to fulfill the 1-year contract deal, the teams must fulfill certain criteria. Two questions will be generated for the team:
1. Are they willing to offer at least an average of the top cap hits of that player’s position?
2. Can they increase the player’s current salary by 120%?
If they can fulfill one, the deal goes through, or failure ensues.
Per NBC Sports, this criteria presents a difference between the non-exclusive and exclusive tags. In Exclusive, the team must present the average of the top five salaries in that player’s position, while no-exclusive has cap hits.
The non-exclusive has the benefit of having a lower cost than the exclusive one. For example, in 2023, the non-exclusive cost for the QB tag will be 32.4 million dollars, while the exclusive cost for the Quarterback is 45.46 million dollars.
Furthermore, exclusive tags will restrict the player from negotiating with other teams for at least a year, while non-exclusive give the player free rein for discussions with others.
Non Exclusive Franchise Tag History
The Non Exclusive Tag was introduced in 1993 through the 4th Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The NFL has made many changes related to its free agency status. What happens after a team’s player becomes a free agent? What can the team do to retain them?
NFL has made many rules to satisfy this issue and changed them later. In 1947, the Football League made a 1-year-option rule, where the player would only get a year to extension. Then the league established the Rozelle Rule in 1963.
Later, the NFL made the Plan B system which came under scrutiny, and lawsuits piled up in 1989 with the lead of Freeman McNeil, a Jets RB.
So, in 1993, the NFL owners developed the Tag system to keep hold of their franchise players. Franchise Tags were initially made for the Quarterbacks, but the system extended to other positions over the years.
Famous Players who have received the Tag
Many famous NFL athletes like Drew Brees, Steve Young, Tony Pollard, and Leonard Williams have got the Franchise Tag.
QB Brees got tagged by the New Orleans in 2012, and the two agreed to play on a 16.371 million dollar tag. Later, the Saints successfully signed an extension of 100 million dollars.
Leonard, the NY Giants Defensive Linesman, had the non-exclusive placed in him. The Giants successfully retained him, as he signed a new 3-year contract of 63 million dollars.
In 2023, every football fan will keep an eye on Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson, as he got a non-exclusive tag placed on him. He currently has a contract of 32.416 million dollars for one year. He signed a four contract on 5th June 2018.
Non Exclusive Franchise Tag Compensation
The team with a tag can receive compensation of 1st round draft picks.
When another team desires to get the tagged player, they will also have to negotiate with the player’s team. If the player’s team rejects their offer, the proposing team can give up their two first-round draft picks for the tagged athlete.
The player can decide whether they are worth two 1st round picks. This compensation can be dangerous for the proposing team as they could be in the prime front to get young aspiring talents.
For instance, if the Baltimore Ravens agree to a New York Jets offer for Lamar, he will go to the Jets. However, the Jets will have to give up their two 1st round picks to Ravens.
Non Exclusive Franchise Tag Rules
Many non-exclusive tag rules encompass deadlines, values, contractual conditions, and tagging limits.
An NFL team can only tag a specific player three times. This rule is not a big factor for the teams since they know their costs will exponentially increase.
For example, a 2nd-time tagged athlete can see his salary increase by 20% from his 1st year, and a third tag will see his wages soar by 44% from his 2nd year. This creates a compounding effect, a big loss for the teams.
The NFL has also placed deadlines on when the team can apply the tags. The final date is Match 7 at 4 pm ET. The tagging window will open on 21st February for the next 15 days.
From the offensive side, Quarterback has the biggest value with 32.45 million dollars. A Linebacker is valued the most in defense, with 20.95 million dollars. Finally, the Special Team has a tag value of 5.4 million dollars.
What Does It Mean To Be Franchise Tagged In The NFL?
Being Franchise Tagged suggests to the player that they are special to the team. If the terms are met, the player will bond with the team for one more year.
Once tagged, the athlete and the team executives will handle negotiations to determine a win-win situation for both of them. The team’s main purpose is to gain a long-term contract, while the player seeks to get the best facilities from the team.
However, what if the player does not want to play for the team for personal reasons? Unfortunately, once tagged, the player cannot refuse it. Some players can resist it by skipping training sessions and preseason matches.
Some can even take a radical approach, like Le’Veon Bell, who sat out a whole season to not play for the Steelers after getting tagged for the 2nd time.