Every year each National Football League team is allowed to designate a player who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent as a franchise player. This designation is applied to a player through the use of the franchise tag. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag (of either the exclusive or non-exclusive forms) or one transition tag. As a result, each team may only designate one player each year as that team's franchise player. The National Football League (NFL) is the largest professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... In North American professional sports, particularly baseball, football, and basketball, a free agent is a team player whose contract with a team has expired, and the player is able to sign a contract with another team. ... Franchise Player is a modern term used in sports to describe an elite athlete who is usually considered to be the best player, and most recognizable figure, on his team. ... A transition tag is a tool used by National Football League teams to retain unrestricted free agents. ...

Usually designated for players of great skill or of high importance to the team, a franchise tag allows a team's managers the privilege of strategically retaining valuable free-agent players while seeking talent through the NFL draft or other acquisitions without exceeding the League's salary cap.

If the designated franchise player elects to play for the team that designated him with the franchise tag, and does not negotiate a contract with another team his one year salary is guaranteed.

If a club withdraws their offered contract the player immediately reverts to an unrestricted free agent. In North American professional sports, particularly baseball, football, and basketball, a free agent is a team player whose contract with a team has expired, and the player is able to sign a contract with another team. ...

Types of Franchise Tags

There are two types of franchise tag designations: the exclusive rights franchise tag, and non-exclusive rights franchise tag:

• An "exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount equal to or greater than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the "current" year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. Exclusive franchise players cannot negotiate with other teams.
• A "non-exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount equal to or greater than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position in the previous year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

It is the team's choice whether it uses an exclusive or a non-exclusive franchise tag. While it may seem that a team would always choose the exclusive option, there are two reasons a team might prefer the non-exclusive option instead. The first is that the salary is based on the top 5 salaries of the previous year instead of the current year, which could be a significant difference. The second reason is that a team may want the opportunity for the two first-round draft picks they would receive if they lost their player.

2007 Exclusive Franchise Player Costs by Position

Navy quarterback Aaron Polanco sets up to throw. ... In American football, each team has 11 players on the field at one time. ... The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... Center (C) is a position in American football. ... Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American football. ... The wide receiver (WR) position in American and Canadian football is the pass-catching specialist. ... A cornerback (also referred to as a corner) is a position in American and Canadian football, more broadly classified as a defensive back. ... A linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football. ... High school running back A running back, halfback, tailback or wingback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... An H-Back is an offensive position in American football that is a hybrid between a fullback and a tight end. ... The defensive team or defense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. ... Defensive back (DB) is a player in American football whose role is primarily pass coverage; that is, the defensive back will stay near a receiver and try to deflect or intercept any passes thrown to him. ... The tight end (TE) is a position in American football on the offensive team. ... The word punter may refer to: Someone who uses a Punt (boat). ... Look up kicker in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

2007 Franchise Tagged Players

Chicago Bears - Lance Briggs LB (Non-exclusive)
Cincinnati Bengals - Justin Smith DE (Non-exclusive)
Detroit Lions - Cory Redding DT (Non-exclusive)
Indianapolis Colts - Dwight Freeney DE (Exclusive)
New England Patriots - Asante Samuel CB (Non-exclusive)
New Orleans Saints - Charles Grant DE (Non-exclusive)
Seattle Seahawks - Josh Brown PK (Non-exclusive) City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National... Lance Briggs (born November 12, 1980 in Sacramento, California) is an American football linebacker who plays for the Chicago Bears. ... City Cincinnati, Ohio Team colors Black, Orange and White Head Coach Marvin Lewis Owner Mike Brown Mascot Who Dey League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1968-1969) Western Division (1968-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team... Justin Smith (born September 30, 1979 in Jefferson City, Missouri) is an American football player who plays defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals. ... City Detroit, Michigan Team colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Rod Marinelli Owner William Clay Ford, Sr. ... Cory Redding (born November 15, 1980 in Houston, Texas) is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the Detroit Lions. ... City Indianapolis, Indiana Team colors Dark Blue and White Head Coach Tony Dungy Owner Jim Irsay General manager Bill Polian Mascot Blue League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1953–present) Western Conference (1953-1969) Coastal Division (1967-1969) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC East (1970-2001) AFC South (2002... Dwight Jason Freeney (born February 19, 1980 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an African football player who currently plays defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Scott Pioli Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football... Asante Samuel (born January 6, 1981 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. ... City New Orleans, Louisiana Team colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Sean Payton Owner Tom Benson General manager Mickey Loomis Mascot Gumbo League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1967–present) Eastern Conference (1967-1969) Capitol Division (1967; 1969) Century Division (1968) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West... Charles Grant (born September 3, 1978) is an American Football player who currently plays Defensive End for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. PRO Career Stats WORTH NOTING: Has 30 sacks since 2002, more than any other Saints defender. ... City Seattle, Washington Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz, and Taima the augur hawk League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1977-2001) AFC West (1977-2001) National Football Conference... Joshua Brown (born April 29, 1979 in Foyil, Oklahoma) is an American football kicker for the Seattle Seahawks. ...

2006 Exclusive Franchise Player Costs by Position

Navy quarterback Aaron Polanco sets up to throw. ... In American football, each team has 11 players on the field at one time. ... The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... Center (C) is a position in American football. ... Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American football. ... The wide receiver (WR) position in American and Canadian football is the pass-catching specialist. ... A cornerback (also referred to as a corner) is a position in American and Canadian football, more broadly classified as a defensive back. ... A linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football. ... High school running back A running back, halfback, tailback or wingback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... An H-Back is an offensive position in American football that is a hybrid between a fullback and a tight end. ... The defensive team or defense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. ... Defensive back (DB) is a player in American football whose role is primarily pass coverage; that is, the defensive back will stay near a receiver and try to deflect or intercept any passes thrown to him. ... The tight end (TE) is a position in American football on the offensive team. ... The word punter may refer to: Someone who uses a Punt (boat). ... Look up kicker in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

2006 Franchise Tagged Players

New York Jets - John Abraham DE
Detroit Lions - Jeff Backus T
Buffalo Bills - Nate Clements CB
Seattle Seahawks - Josh Brown K City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Gang Green, the Green and White Team colors Green and White Head Coach Eric Mangini Owner Woody Johnson General manager Mike Tannenbaum League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970... John Abraham (born May 6, 1978) is an NFL defensive end currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons. ... City Detroit, Michigan Team colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Rod Marinelli Owner William Clay Ford, Sr. ... Jeffrey Carl Backus (born September 21, 1977 in Midland, Michigan) is an offensive tackle in the National Football League. ... City Orchard Park, New York Team colors Navy blue, light blue, Red, light Red, White, Royal, and Nickel Head Coach Dick Jauron Owner Ralph Wilson General manager Marv Levy Mascot Billy Buffalo League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... Nathan D. Clements (born December 12, 1979 in Shaker Heights, Ohio) is an American football player who currently plays cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. // Clements went to Shaker Heights High School. ... City Seattle, Washington Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz, and Taima the augur hawk League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1977-2001) AFC West (1977-2001) National Football Conference... Joshua Brown (born April 29, 1979 in Foyil, Oklahoma) is an American football kicker for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He attended the University of Nebraska. ...

External Links

• Explanation of NFL Free Agency