Eight NFL franchises opted to make use of the franchise tag — and one more the lesser-used transition tag — as the league hurtles towards the start of another new year.

Player designations had to be confirmed by Tuesday, ahead of the 2024 NFL free agency signing period, which begins at 4pm ET next Wednesday (March 13). Each club can designate one ‘franchise’ player or one ‘transition’ player among its veteran free agents, with the salary offered determining whether the franchise player designation is ‘exclusive’ or ‘non-exclusive’.

An ‘exclusive’ franchise player is not free to sign with another club, but is offered the greater of either the average of the top five salaries at his position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 19; or the amount of the required tender for a ‘non-exclusive’ franchise player, as explained below.

Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) of the CBA sets forth the methodology, known as the ‘Cap Percentage Average’, for calculating the required tender for a non-exclusive franchise player:

If a club extends a required tender to a non-exclusive franchise player pursuant to this section, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a deal with any other club, but moving on would require compensation of two first-round draft picks being sent in the opposite direction. The signing period for franchise players to negotiate either a new deal with their existing team or agree terms with a rival ends on the Tuesday following the tenth week of the season.

This year, no player was designated as an exclusive franchise player, with the following eight names receiving non-exclusive franchise tags.

Justin Madubuike (DT) R avens
Brian Burns (LB) Panthers
Jaylon Johnson (CB) Bears
Tee Higgins (WR) Bengals
Michael Pittman (WR) Colts
Josh Allen (LB) Jaguars
L’Jarius Sneed (CB) Chiefs
Antoine Winfield Jr (S) Buccaneers

A transition player is offered the greater of either the average of the top 10 prior year salaries at the player’s position, which average is calculated using the same methodology used for non-exclusive franchise players (the Cap Percentage Average); or 120% of his prior year salary.

If a club extends a transition tag, the player is be permitted to negotiate a contract with any club subject to his prior club’s right of first refusal. No draft choice compensation is necessary should the player’s existing team decline that right. The signing period for transition players runs from March 13 until July 22, after which, the player’s original team has exclusive negotiating rights until the tenth week of the season.

Just one player was designated as a transition player for 2024, with the New England Patriots applying the tag to safety Kyle Dugger.