Franchise Tender Explanation
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.
The last "exclusive" franchise player was Oakland Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha 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.
Transition Tender Explanation
Each NFL team can designate either one "franchise" or one "transition" player in
a capped year. However, in the final year league year (2010 in this case), teams
can designate two players (one transition player and one franchise player).
A transition player must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10
salaries of the prior season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the
player’s prior year’s salary, whichever is greater.
A transition player designation gives the original 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 originating team matches, it retains the player. If
it does not match, it receives no draft pick compensation from the team that
submitted the offer sheet.
Franchise/Transition Tag Levels
Quarterback
Franchise
$16.405 million
Comments: Peyton Manning led the way with a number of $21.199998 million.
Included was his base salary of $14 million and bonus proration of $7.199998
million. The final two years (2011-2012) of his contract will void based on
meeting a minimum playing time requirement in just one season, a source said.
Donovan McNabb came in second with a number of $16.704170.
Transition
$14.546 million
Running Back
Franchise
$8.156 million
Comments: A few surprises here. Reggie Bush had the biggest number at $10.585
million. His number came from his base salary, bonus proration, and roster
bonus. Coming in second was Brian Westbrook at $8.633333 million.
Transition
$7.151 million
Wide Receiver
Franchise
$9.521 million
Comments: Larry Fitzgerald led the way with a number of $10.893332 million. His
number is comprised mostly of his base salary, bonus proration, and roster
bonus. Coming in second was Antonio Bryant at his franchise salary of $9.884
million. Because of his knee problems, Bryant only posted 39 receptions. It
didn't help that he had to play with a rookie quarterback for most of the
season.
Transition
$8.651 million
Tight End
Franchise
$5.908 million
Comments: Dallas Clark came in highest with a number of $6.773333 million. His
base salary and bonus proration made up the entirety of the number. Daniel
Graham came in second at $6.45 million. That's a high price to pay for
essentially a blocking tight end. However, he may be the best blocking tight end
in the NFL.
Transition
$5.248 million
Offensive Linemen
Franchise
$10.731 million
Comments: Thanks to his contract extension, Joe Staley came in with the highest
number at $13.52 million. His number was comprised of his base salary of
$460,000, bonus proration of $850,000, and roster bonus of $12,210 million.
Workout bonuses are not included in the calculation. Jason Peters came in second
with a number of $12.7 million.
Transition
$9.142 million
Kicker/Punter
Franchise
$2.814 million
Transition
$2.629 million
Comments: Because kickers and punters are combined, P Shane Lechler led this
position at $3.1 million.
Defensive Tackle
Franchise
$7.003 million
Comments: Tommie Harris, not Albert Haynesworth, led the way with a number of
$8.59 million. Harris' $6.67 million roster bonus made up most of his number.
Haynesworth came in second at $7 million.
Transition
$6.353 million
Defensive End
Franchise
$12.398 million
Comments: Julius Peppers, as expected, came in with the highest number at
$16.683 million (his base salary). However, his $2.5 million in bonus money
(likely to be earned incentives) was not included. Jared Allen came in second
with a number of $14.533344 million.
Transition
$10.193 million
Linebacker
Franchise
$9.680 million
Comments: DeMarcus Ware led the way at a number of $11.435693. Karlos Dansby
came in second with his franchise salary of $9.678 million. It's hard to believe
that the Cardinals would use their franchise tag again and pay Dansby $11.6136
million for 2010. Dansby is a solid player, but he's not close to the impact
player that Ware is.
Transition
$8.373 million
Safety
Franchise
$6.455 million
Comments: Adrian Wilson, who signed an extension last September, came in with
the highest number (base salary and bonus protation) at $7.039503 million. Troy
Polamalu came in second at $6.495 million.
Transition
$6.011 million
Cornerback
Franchise
$9.566 million
Comments: Champ Bailey led the way with a number (base salary, bonus proration,
and signing bonus) of $13.188525 million. Dunta Robinson, based on his franchise
number of $9.957 million, came in second. If the Texans used their franchise tag
again on Robinson, they would owe him a base salary of $11.9484 million.
Transition
$8.056 million
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