In the National Football League (NFL), the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met.
The one-year, guaranteed contract that is offered to the player is a known, non-negotiated salary.
If a designated player does not sign the offer and is unable or unwilling to negotiate an alternative contract before week 10 of the designated season, the player is unable to sign or negotiate a contract in the NFL for the remainder of the season.
Many designated players have criticized the use of the franchise tag by teams when it restricts their perceived ability to negotiate a more lucrative contract.