NFL teams are able to use the franchise tag or the transition tag. That window opened earlier this week on Feb. 21. Teams may use one tag on a player scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent by the deadline of March 7.
Using the tag allows teams to maintain rights over the player. The tag makes the player one of the highest-paid at his position — the average of the top five salaries at the position for the franchise tag or 120% of the player’s previous year’s salary, while the transition gives the player the average salary of the highest 10.
