Franchise Tender Explanation
Each NFL team can designate either one "franchise" or one "transition"
player in a given year.
The salary level offer by a player's team determines what type of
franchise player he is.
An "exclusive" franchise player -- not free to sign with another team -- is
offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player's
position for the current year as of mid-April (exact date has not been revealed
yet), or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, or the average of
the top five salaries at his position as of the end of last season -- whichever
of the three is greater.
Oakland Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha was the league's only "exclusive" franchise
player in 2008.
If the player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of
last season at his position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s
salary, he becomes a “non-exclusive” franchise player and can negotiate with
other team. His old team can match a new team's offer, or receive two
first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.
There were 10 veterans named as "non-exclusive" franchise players in
2008.
Transition Tender Explanation
The player’s team must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10
salaries of last season at the player's position or 120 percent of the player's
previous year's salary, whichever is greater.
A transition player designation gives the team a first-refusal right to match
within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another team after his
contract expires. If the team matches, it retains the player. If it does not
match, it receives no compensation (see the Steve Hutchinson deal with the
Minnesota Vikings back in 2006 as an example of this).
Franchise/Transition Tag Levels
Quarterback
Franchise
$14.651m
Transition
$12.440m
Running Back
Franchise
$6.621m
Transition
$5.925m
Wide Receiver
Franchise
$9.884m
Transition
$8.393m
Tight End
Franchise
$4.462m
Transition
$4.065m
Offensive Linemen
Franchise
$8.451m
Transition
$7.744m
Kicker/Punter
Franchise
$2.483m
Transition
$2.264m
Defensive Tackle
Franchise
$6.058m
Transition
$5.45m
Defensive End
Franchise
$8.991m
Transition
$7.777m
Linebacker
Franchise
$8.304m
Transition
$7.480m
Safety
Franchise
$6.342m
Transition
$5.130m
Cornerback
Franchise
$9.957m
Transition
$8.374m