This piece wraps up our three-part series examining the tag options NFL teams can use to keep one unrestricted free agent locked up (hopefully) through the 2019 season.
From Feb. 19 to March 5, clubs can choose one player to designate with either the non-exclusive franchise tag, the exclusive franchise tag or the transition tag.
The transition tag differs from the franchise tags in salary primarily and is the least risky option for teams. The one-year tender offer is comprised of the average of the top 10 salaries at the player’s position as opposed to the top five for the franchise tags.
As with the non-exclusive franchise tag, a player hit with the transition tag is allowed to negotiate with other teams and his original club is still given the opportunity to match any offer.
However, should the transition-tagged player sign elsewhere, his former club would receive no compensation.
July 15th remains the deadline for all tagged players and clubs, who can still attempt to reach a new long-term deal by then, or cease all further negotiations on an extension until the team’s final game of the regular season.
Click here for more information on the non-exclusive and exclusive franchise tags.
