The franchise tag is a tool NFL teams use to offer one-year deals to a selected player for a franchise tag salary. Every team is allowed one franchise tag to be placed on one player, and that player will get the average of the top-five salaries at that position from the previous year. So, while the tagged player is guaranteed to be highly compensated for this season, there is no security of a long-term deal.
There are many reasons teams use the franchise tag. It can be a placeholder while the team and player look to work out a multi-year deal. It can be used to motivate a player on a prove-it deal. And it can be used as a short-term extension on players coming off their rookie deals if a team isn't willing to make a significant commitment.
The deadline for placing franchise tags on players for the 2025 season is March 4, 2025, at 4:00 pm Eastern.
Here are the costs for every franchise tag salary at every position for 2025.
2025 Franchise Tag Salary Costs
Offense
- Quarterback: $39,636,000
- Wide Receiver: $23,598,000
- Offensive Line: $23,051,000
- Tight End: $13,618,000
- Running Back: $13,437,000
Defense and Special Teams
- Linebacker: $25,069,000
- Defensive Tackle: $24,745,000
- Defensive End: $21,730,000
- Cornerback: $19,833,000
- Safety: $18,321,000
- Kicker/Punter: $6,218,000
Franchise tags constitute a significant milestone in the NFL offseason and a sign that free agency is near.
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