The NFL offseason is all about difficult decisions. Teams are scrambling to hold onto their star players while staying within the salary cap. People usually mention the franchise tag, but many often overlook another option: the transition tag. It’s not as popular, but it comes with its own set of perks and challenges for both teams and players.
Here’s everything you need to know about how it works, why teams use it, and some recent examples.
What Is The Transition Tag?
The transition tag has been around since 1993, and it was created to help teams deal with the new world of free agency. Basically, it’s a one-year, fully guaranteed contract offer for unrestricted free agents. What makes it unique is that it gives the player’s original team the chance to match any offer they get from another team during free agency.
But there’s a catch: if the team decides not to match the offer, the player is free to walk, and the team gets nothing in return. The franchise tag differs significantly, as teams losing a tagged player receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
The cost of a transition tag depends on the position. It’s calculated by averaging the top 10 salaries at that spot over the last five years. For the 2024 season, tag costs place quarterbacks at the top with $34.37 million, followed by linebackers at $19.97 million and wide receivers at $19.77 million.
Offensive linemen and defensive ends are valued at $19.04 million and $19.08 million, while defensive tackles are set at $18.49 million. Cornerbacks are tagged at $17.22 million, safeties at $13.82 million, tight ends at $10.88 million, running backs at $9.77 million, and special teams players at $5.43 million.
Also Read: How Does The NFL Salary Cap Work? Everything You Need To Know
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Transition Tag vs. Franchise Tag: What’s The Difference?
Teams use both tags to keep their top talent, but they are different. The franchise tag costs more because it’s based on the top five salaries at a position instead of the top 10. For example, a defensive end tagged with the non-exclusive franchise tag in 2024 costs $21.324 million, while the transition tag costs $19.076 million.
Teams use both tags to keep their top talent, but they are different. The franchise tag costs more because it’s based on the top five salaries at a position instead of the top 10. For example, a defensive end tagged with the non-exclusive franchise tag in 2024 costs $21.324 million, while the transition tag costs $19.076 million.
Compensation is another big difference. Teams that lose a franchise-tagged player get those two first-round picks, but with the transition tag, there’s no compensation if the player leaves.
Still, there’s one similarity: both tags require a player to earn at least 120% of their previous year’s salary if that number is higher than the tag’s calculated value. So, either way, tagged players can still land hefty paydays.
Why Don’t Teams Use The Transition Tag More?
It’s rare for teams to use the transition tag, and there are some good reasons. First, it’s still expensive, and teams need to manage their salary caps carefully. Second, the tag doesn’t guarantee the team will keep the player or even get anything in return if they lose them. That’s a lot of risk for no reward.
Players don’t exactly love being tagged, either. It limits their options in free agency and often means they can’t secure long-term deals. Some players even refuse to play under the tag, holding out and causing headaches for their teams.
And then there’s the history of the infamous “poison pill” contracts from the 2000s. Teams crafted sneaky clauses in offer sheets to make it impossible for the original team to match. For instance, when the Seahawks tagged Steve Hutchinson in 2005, the Vikings included a clause guaranteeing his entire contract if he wasn’t the highest-paid lineman on his team, a condition Seattle couldn’t meet. The NFL banned poison pills in 2011, but the drama left a lasting impression.
Also Read: NFL League Minimum Salary In 2024: Everything To Know About The Lowest Pay A Player Can Earn
Notable Transition Tag Examples
Teams have rarely used the NFL’s transition tag over the past decade, tagging only six players between 2014 and 2024. Notable examples include Kenyan Drake (2020), Kyle Fuller (2018), Charles Clay (2015), and Alex Mack (2014). This year, the New England Patriots broke a four-year streak of inactivity by tagging safety Kyle Dugger, guaranteeing him $13.815 million under the current rules for safeties.
Teams have rarely used the NFL’s transition tag over the past decade, tagging only six players between 2014 and 2024. Notable examples include Kenyan Drake (2020), Kyle Fuller (2018), Charles Clay (2015), and Alex Mack (2014). This year, the New England Patriots broke a four-year streak of inactivity by tagging safety Kyle Dugger, guaranteeing him $13.815 million under the current rules for safeties.
The tag often results in unique outcomes. Three of the last five tagged players signed long-term deals with other teams, forcing their original teams to either match the offers or let them go. For instance, the Browns matched Jacksonville’s offer to retain Alex Mack in 2014, while the Dolphins allowed Charles Clay to join the Bills in 2015.
Teams use the transition tag strategically, offering flexibility without long-term commitments. While less common than the franchise tag, it provides leverage for both teams and players during free agency, making it a valuable but sparingly utilized tool in roster management.
Also Read: What Is The NFL Injury Policy? Guidelines For Reporting Injuries By NFL Teams
