NFL franchise tag: What you need to know originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Franchise player — it’s more than a buzzword.
Every season, coaches and commentators declare certain stars “franchise players,” often referring to key leaders who have demonstrated a vocal commitment to their team. There’s sometimes more to the story.
For nearly the past 30 seasons, NFL owners have reserved the right to claim one player as their own for a one-year, hefty contract through what is known as the franchise tag. It’s evolved and there are several different iterations, but it is typically reserved for special occasions with typically less than half of the league’s teams employing this trick.
Here’s everything you need to know about the franchise tag, one of the more confusing and controversial elements of NFL free agency.
What is the NFL franchise tag?
The franchise tag is a designation that allows NFL teams to select one player set to be an unrestricted free agent and guarantees…