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Transition tag
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A transition tag is a designation used by National Football League (NFL) teams to retain unrestricted free agents. It guarantees the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer the player may make with another team. The transition tag can be used once a year by each club unless they elect to use a franchise tag instead. Transition tags can be rescinded; however, teams that rescind a transition tag cannot use it again until the next season.
If a player signs a contract after receiving the transition tag, his original team cannot use the tag again on any player until the contract has expired. The exception is if the player first signs a transition offer sheet, which is a one-year contract equal to the average salary of the top ten players in the league at the player's position, or a twenty percent salary increase, whichever is greater. This contract was not historically guaranteed; however, it became guaranteed starting in 2007 per the collective bargaining agreement agreed to by the NFL owners and the NFLPA on March 8, 2006. If the player signs the offer sheet prior to a long-term contract, the player's team can then use the tag the next year.
If another club offers a contract to a transitioned player, his original club has seven days to decide whether to match that offer or not. If the original club agrees to match, the player is forced to sign with the original club at the terms agreed to in the offer by the other club. If the original club declines to match, the player signs with the other team, and the original team is offered no compensation, as they would be if the player had received the franchise tag.
History
[edit]The transition tag was established in 1993, following the advent of free agency in the NFL. Teams were afraid of losing their best players to free agency, which was not a concern previously. The NFL granted each team two transition tags, each of which they could only use once and never again. The system has been since changed to allow each team to use a transition tag each year it is available to them.
Disadvantages
[edit]The transition tag is rarely used by NFL franchises. There are two reasons for this. The first is that the one-year transition offer is typically a large amount, which could provide the club with difficulties while attempting to keep the team's aggregate salaries under the salary cap. The other is that players often react badly to receiving the tag, because it limits their ability to negotiate with other teams and therefore hinders their chances of receiving the largest possible contract. Players sometimes counter the tag by holding out or refusing to play for the club, creating distractions and headaches for the club.
Poison pill
[edit]The advent of the poison pill came in 1996. The 49ers intended to sign Giants running back Rodney Hampton to an offer sheet with a poison pill that stated Hampton would be "on the field for 70% of the offensive plays over the next 2 seasons." The Giants had drafted Tyrone Wheatley with their first round pick in 1995 but he was largely ineffective in his first season. Since he played the same position as Hampton, the Giants had planned to ease him into the offense with Hampton on the back end of his career. For the Giants to match the 6 year deal, they would be forced to play Hampton in 70% of the plays, thus making the previous year's draft pick of Wheatley a loss. The 49ers later decided to not include the clause, as they felt the NFL would never approve the terms. Their assumption would be proven incorrect following the 2005 season, with the historic offer sheet Steve Hutchinson signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
The transition tag's usefulness began to be questioned after the contract offered by the Minnesota Vikings to Steve Hutchinson, an offensive guard who had received the transition tag following the 2005 season from the Seattle Seahawks. The contract was for $49 million over seven years, $16 million of which was guaranteed. However, the Vikings added a poison pill: The entire $49 million contract was guaranteed if Hutchinson were not the highest-paid offensive lineman on the team he signed with. Since Hutchinson's salary was less than that of the Seahawks' Walter Jones, an offensive tackle, his contract would have been guaranteed by the Seahawks, while the Vikings, having no offensive linemen averaging more than Hutchinson's proposed salary, would only be obligated to pay the guaranteed $16 million. The Seahawks filed a grievance with the NFL league office, claiming that the poison pill was illegal under the collective bargaining agreement in that the Seahawks would have to pay significantly more than the Vikings despite matching with exactly the same contract. An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Vikings, and the Seahawks were essentially unable to match and received no compensation.
In an act of apparent revenge, the Seattle Seahawks included their own "poison pills" when signing restricted free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson. The total contract was seven years and $49 million—not coincidentally the exact amount of the contract Hutchinson received from the Vikings. The first poison pill stipulated that the entire contract would be guaranteed if Burleson played five or more games in the state of Minnesota during any year of the contract. This of course would be impossible as a member of the Seahawks, but an inevitability as a member of the Vikings, who played their home games in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minnesota. The second provision would guarantee the full contract if Burleson is paid more on average per year than all of his team's running backs combined. At the time of his signing, the averages of the Vikings' tailbacks fell well shy of the $7 million average of the Burleson offer sheet. However in Seattle, running back Shaun Alexander alone made an average of over $7 million per year.
In 2011, the NFL and NFLPA ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. In this agreement, poison pill clauses were eliminated from offer sheets issued to players under the transition tag. The specific language in the CBA states:
"No Offer Sheet may contain a Principal Term that would create rights or obligations for the Old Club that differ in any way (including but not limited to the amount of compensation that would be paid, the circumstances in which compensation would be guaranteed, or the circumstances in which other contractual rights would or would not vest) from the rights or obligations that such Principal Term would create for the Club extending the Offer Sheet (i.e., no 'poison pills')."
The effect of this additional language has resulted in the transition tag being useful to teams again. In 2014, the Pittsburgh Steelers applied the transition tag to Jason Worilds and the Cleveland Browns applied the transition tag to Alex Mack. Worilds signed his transition tag, while Mack accepted an offer sheet from Jacksonville. Cleveland later matched to the offer sheet, thus keeping Mack as a Brown.
2024 transition player costs by position
[edit]| Quarterback | $34,367,000 |
| Linebacker | $19,971,000 |
| Wide receiver | $19,766,000 |
| Defensive end | $19,076,000 |
| Offensive linemen (includes offensive tackle, offensive guard, center) | $19,040,000 |
| Defensive tackle | $18,491,000 |
| Cornerback | $17,215,000 |
| Safety | $13,815,000 |
| Tight end | $10,878,000 |
| Running back (includes all fullbacks and halfbacks) | $9,765,000 |
| Special Teams (kicker/punter) | $5,433,000 |
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Transition tag
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The transition tag is a contractual mechanism in the National Football League (NFL) that allows teams to retain unrestricted free agents by offering a one-year, fully guaranteed tender equal to the greater of 120% of the player's prior year's salary or the average of the top 10 salaries at their position from the previous season.[1] Unlike the franchise tag, it permits the player to negotiate and sign offers with other teams while granting the tagging team the right to match any competing offer, but without providing draft pick compensation if the team declines to match.[2] This tag, introduced as part of the NFL's collective bargaining agreements, serves as a middle-ground option between unrestricted free agency and the more restrictive franchise tag, though it has been used infrequently since its inception in 1993, with only a handful of applications across the league.[3][4] The tagging window aligns with that of the franchise tag, typically opening in mid-February and closing in early March each year, allowing teams to secure key players amid free agency preparations.[5]
Trends in the data underscore the tag's alignment with cap expansion, with quarterback values increasing by roughly 40% over the five years and offensive linemen seeing a similar proportional rise due to demand for elite blockers. In contrast, running back tags have grown more modestly, averaging under 6% annually, reflecting a devalued market position relative to skill players like wide receivers. For 2025, standout figures include $35.4 million for quarterbacks and $21.3 million for offensive linemen, derived from 2024 top-10 averages amid a $279.2 million cap. Specialists such as kickers and punters continue to anchor the low end at $5.7 million, emphasizing their limited financial impact.[38][39][40]
Definition and Purpose
Overview
The transition tag is a one-year tender offer that National Football League (NFL) teams can apply to one of their impending unrestricted free agents, granting the team the right to match any offer sheet the player signs with another club.[1] This mechanism enables teams to retain valuable players during the free agency period without immediately committing to a multiyear contract, functioning as a temporary bridge to facilitate ongoing negotiations or provide time for a long-term agreement.[1] Under the transition tag, the tagged player receives a fully guaranteed salary for one season and is permitted to negotiate and sign offer sheets with other teams during the free agency window, which typically opens in early March.[1] The original team then has a five-day window to match any offer sheet; if it declines to match, the player is free to sign with the offering team, with no draft compensation owed to the tagging club.[1] Teams must designate the transition tag by the league's deadline, usually the first Tuesday in March, to prevent the player from entering unrestricted free agency without restrictions.[1] Since its introduction in the 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the transition tag has been used sparingly across the league, applied only 13 times due to the financial risks involved, such as the potential for a player to secure a lucrative external offer that the team may not wish to match.[6] This rarity underscores its role as a less restrictive alternative to the franchise tag, which includes draft pick compensation if an offer is not matched.[1]Eligibility and Application
The transition tag applies exclusively to players who are set to become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their contracts, meaning those who have completed four or more accrued seasons in the NFL.[7] This eligibility ensures the tag targets veteran contributors whose services are valuable enough to warrant retention efforts without extending to restricted free agents or those with fewer seasons.[1] Teams must apply the transition tag during a specific annual window, typically beginning shortly after the Super Bowl—such as February 18 in 2025—and ending at 4 p.m. ET on the first Tuesday in March, which was March 4 in 2025.[1] This timeframe allows clubs to assess their roster needs before the new league year begins on March 12.[2] A key limitation is that each NFL team may designate only one player with either a transition tag or a franchise tag per offseason, preventing multiple uses or combinations with other tender types like restricted free agent offers.[1] The application process involves the team formally issuing a one-year tender offer to the player within the designated window and notifying the NFL league office of the designation.[1] Once applied, the tag immediately binds the player to the team for the upcoming season at the specified salary, prohibiting them from entering unrestricted free agency or signing with another club unless the team opts not to match an external offer.[2] This procedural step underscores the tag's role in providing teams a mechanism for short-term retention amid free agency uncertainties.[1]Mechanics and Rules
Salary Determination
The salary for a player tendered under the transition tag is determined by the greater of two amounts: the cap percentage average of the top 10 prior year salaries (PYS) at the player's position, or 120% of the player's prior year salary.[1][8] Prior year salary includes base salary, roster bonuses, reporting bonuses, and prorated signing bonuses from the previous league year, but excludes performance incentives and workout bonuses.[1] The cap percentage average smooths the top 10 PYS value over the previous five seasons by dividing the sum of those historical transition tag figures by the sum of the corresponding salary caps, ensuring the tag scales with league-wide financial growth.[1] This salary forms a one-year, fully guaranteed contract that counts entirely against the tendering team's salary cap for the upcoming league year, providing immediate financial commitment without long-term obligations.[1] Unlike some player contracts, the transition tag includes no escalator clauses based on performance or playing time, fixing the compensation at the determined amount regardless of on-field contributions.[8] The calculation varies significantly by position due to disparities in market values for top contracts; for instance, quarterbacks typically yield much higher transition tag salaries because the top 10 PYS at that position reflect premium compensation for the role's centrality, whereas wide receivers or offensive linemen result in lower figures owing to more distributed salary pools across those groups.[1][9] Annually, the transition tag value adjusts based on the prior year's top salaries and the overall salary cap increase, as set by the NFL Management Council before the league year begins, maintaining alignment with evolving league economics without fixed escalation mechanisms.[1][8]Player and Team Rights
Upon application of the transition tag, the player gains the right to negotiate and sign offer sheets with other NFL teams during the free agency period, allowing them to explore opportunities beyond their current club.[10] If no offer sheet is signed or if the original team matches any such offer, the player is entitled to a one-year contract at the tender amount specified by the tag.[11] The tagging team holds the exclusive right to match any bona fide offer sheet received by the player, providing a right of first refusal to retain the athlete.[10] Unlike the franchise tag, declining to match an offer sheet results in no draft pick compensation for the original team, emphasizing the tag's role in negotiation leverage rather than punitive retention.[11] The negotiation process includes a seven-day window for the original team to decide on matching an offer sheet upon its receipt, during which the player cannot be traded without their consent.[10] This period facilitates deliberate evaluation but limits immediate mobility for the player. If the team matches the offer, the player remains with the original club under the terms of the matched contract.[11] Conversely, if the team declines to match, the player departs freely to the new team without any compensatory draft selections awarded to the prior club. However, a team cannot apply the transition tag to the same player in consecutive league years.[10]Comparison to Other Tags
Similarities with Franchise Tag
The transition tag and the franchise tag share a fundamental purpose in the NFL: both serve as one-year tender offers that allow teams to retain key players who are on the verge of becoming unrestricted free agents, thereby preventing their immediate departure to other clubs during the offseason.[1] These mechanisms provide a temporary bridge for negotiations on long-term contracts while ensuring the player remains under team control for at least one additional season.[12] Both tags impose identical structural limitations on teams, restricting each franchise to designating only one such tender per year—meaning a team cannot apply both a transition tag and a franchise tag simultaneously.[13] Additionally, the application window for either tag is the same, opening in mid-February and closing in early March, aligning with the league's free agency preparation period.[14] In terms of cap treatment, the salaries associated with both the transition tag and the franchise tag are fully guaranteed upon the player's acceptance of the tender and count entirely against the team's salary cap for that season, with values adjusted based on fluctuations in the overall league salary cap.[8] This full guarantee structure ensures financial certainty for the player while imposing a direct cap hit on the designating team, regardless of whether a long-term deal is reached. Regarding negotiation basics, both the transition tag and the non-exclusive franchise tag permit the tagged player to engage in discussions with other NFL teams for potential offer sheets, providing the original team with the option to retain the player by matching any competing offer.[1] This shared framework encourages competitive bidding while prioritizing the original team's retention rights, fostering a balance between player mobility and team stability during the free agency process.[2]Key Differences from Franchise Tag
The transition tag and franchise tag in the National Football League (NFL) serve similar purposes in retaining players but differ significantly in cost, compensation mechanisms, and flexibility, influencing teams' strategic decisions. The primary distinction in salary determination lies in their calculation methods: the transition tag sets the player's one-year salary at the greater of 120% of the player's prior-year salary or the cap percentage average of the top 10 highest salaries at their position over the prior five years, making it generally cheaper than the franchise tag, which for the non-exclusive version uses the cap percentage average of the top 5 salaries, and for the exclusive version, the greater of 120% of the player's prior-year salary or the top 5 average. This lower cost threshold for the transition tag—often 10-20% less than the non-exclusive franchise tag—allows teams to retain key players without committing to the highest market rates, though it still carries substantial financial weight relative to the salary cap.[1] A critical difference emerges in draft pick compensation if the tagged player signs with another team. Under the transition tag, the original team receives no compensatory draft selections if it declines to match an offer sheet from a rival club, exposing the team to the risk of losing the player for nothing beyond the one-year salary already paid. In contrast, the non-exclusive franchise tag provides the original team with two first-round draft picks as compensation if the player signs an offer sheet that the team does not match, while the exclusive franchise tag prohibits the player from negotiating with other teams altogether, with no draft pick compensation available since external offers are not permitted. This lack of compensation makes the transition tag a higher-risk option, suitable for teams uncertain about long-term retention but unwilling to pay premium franchise rates.[1] The transition tag also offers greater negotiation flexibility for the player compared to the franchise tag variants. Players on the transition tag can freely solicit and receive offer sheets from other teams during the negotiation period, with the original team holding the right to match any offer on identical terms, but without the punitive draft cost to suitors that exists under the non-exclusive franchise tag. The exclusive franchise tag, by design, bars such external negotiations entirely, locking the player exclusively to their current team for the tagged year. This openness under the transition tag can facilitate market-driven outcomes but often results in fewer uses, as teams prefer the protective compensation of the franchise tag when investing in high-value players. Strategically, teams opt for the transition tag as a cost-effective, lower-commitment alternative when they value a player's contributions but anticipate potential departure or seek to test market interest without overextending financially. For instance, it appeals in scenarios where a team's salary cap is constrained or when rebuilding, balancing retention incentives against the risk of free agency loss, whereas the franchise tag is favored for its stronger safeguards against poaching. This trade-off has led to the transition tag's infrequent application since its inception, with only a handful of uses compared to hundreds of franchise tags.Historical Development
Introduction in 1993 CBA
The transition tag was established in the 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the National Football League (NFL) and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), as part of the broader "White Settlement" following the antitrust lawsuit White v. NFL. This landmark agreement, ratified on May 6, 1993, introduced unrestricted free agency for players with at least five years of service (later reduced to four), replacing the limited Plan B system that had been in place since the 1987 strike. The transition tag emerged as a key compromise mechanism to mitigate owners' fears of uncontrolled player movement and loss of star talent without compensation, amid ongoing labor tensions that had disrupted the league in prior years.[16][17] Designed as a less restrictive alternative to the franchise tag, the transition tag allowed teams to retain one or two eligible players—up to two in the CBA's first year—by offering a one-year tender equal to the average of the top 10 salaries at the player's position from the prior season, as determined by May 1 figures. Unlike the franchise tag, it provided the team only a right of first refusal to match any offer sheet signed by the player with another club, without granting draft pick compensation if the player departed. This structure aimed to encourage negotiations for long-term contracts while gradually phasing in free agency, balancing the NFLPA's advocacy for player mobility with owners' retention needs.[18][16][19] The tag first became applicable during the 1993 offseason free agency period, enabling teams to apply it to impending unrestricted free agents and test its role in the new labor framework. By addressing post-strike uncertainties and the potential for talent drain highlighted in the White litigation, the transition tag helped stabilize the league's transition to modern free agency without fully reverting to pre-1993 restrictions.[16][20]Evolution in Subsequent CBAs
The 1998 extension of the 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) introduced minor adjustments to the transition tag to accommodate the league's growing revenue streams, primarily through updates to the salary cap structure that indirectly influenced tag tender values, with the cap set at approximately $52.4 million for that year. These tweaks ensured eligibility criteria remained aligned with expanding player compensation trends, while maintaining the core right-of-first-refusal mechanism without draft compensation for the designating team.[21] The 2011 CBA solidified the transition tag's salary formula as the greater of the average of the ten highest prior-year salaries at the player's position (using a cap-percentage average to account for league-wide cap changes) or 120% of the player's prior-year salary, providing a standardized calculation that emphasized positional market rates over cap percentages in most cases. A key modification limited teams to using only one tag per offseason—either the franchise or transition tag—down from the prior allowance of both, which aimed to balance player mobility with team retention options. Additionally, the agreement explicitly prohibited "poison pill" provisions in offer sheets, which had previously allowed competing teams to structure contracts with uneven cash flows to deter matching, thereby streamlining the matching process and reducing strategic complexities. These changes contributed to diminished usage of the transition tag, as teams increasingly favored the franchise tag for its compensatory draft picks if the player departed.[22][23] Under the 2020 CBA, the transition tag's foundational structure was preserved, retaining the salary formula as the greater of the top-10 salary average or 120% of the player's prior-year salary. Adjustments addressed potential uncapped league years by clarifying cap-percentage fallbacks (e.g., approximately 7.07% of the cap for certain positions), ensuring continuity amid revenue fluctuations. The agreement's ratification amid the COVID-19 pandemic indirectly impacted tag values through a stabilized 2020 cap at $198.2 million, though subsequent years saw tenders decline due to a $16 million cap reduction in 2021 from pandemic-related revenue losses, tying positional averages to the lower overall spending limits.[10][1] Over successive CBAs, the transition tag has trended toward greater rarity, with teams preferring the franchise tag's protective compensation mechanism; it was last applied in 2024 on just one player, compared to dozens of franchise designations annually. No fundamental overhauls have occurred since the 1993 introduction, reflecting a stable framework amid evolving free agency dynamics.[24][19]Usage and Examples
Frequency and Trends
The transition tag has been used infrequently league-wide since its introduction in the 1993 collective bargaining agreement, with higher application in the early years of free agency, including multiple instances in the 1990s—such as in 1993, when teams could designate up to two transition players each, and two tags in 1995—reflecting teams' experimentation with the new mechanism amid the transition to salary cap constraints.[16] Since 2011, application has declined sharply, with only six uses recorded through the 2025 offseason, including one in 2011 (kicker David Akers by the Eagles, later rescinded).[25] This trend stems primarily from teams' preference for the franchise tag, which offers draft pick compensation if an unmatched offer sheet is signed, unlike the transition tag's mere right of first refusal without such protections.[1] The most recent application came in 2024, when the New England Patriots tagged safety Kyle Dugger; the two sides later agreed to a four-year extension worth $58 million.[26] Additionally, the exponential growth of the NFL salary cap—from $34.3 million in 1994 to $255.4 million in 2024—has inflated transition tag values, rendering them less appealing for retaining players without guaranteed long-term security.[27] The tag has been frequently applied to offensive linemen, with examples on tackles and centers, and to defensive backs, including multiple cornerbacks and safeties.[6] It has been rare for quarterbacks, occurring only once on Jeff George in 1996, as teams typically opt for the franchise tag's stronger safeguards on premium positions.[6]Notable Cases
One of the most prominent examples of the transition tag's application occurred in 2006 when the Seattle Seahawks placed it on offensive guard Steve Hutchinson following his All-Pro performance in the 2005 season. The Minnesota Vikings signed Hutchinson to a seven-year, $49 million offer sheet that included a "poison pill" provision designed to make matching difficult by allocating higher payments to void years if the Seahawks declined. The Seahawks chose not to match, allowing Hutchinson to join the Vikings, an outcome that highlighted vulnerabilities in the transition tag system and prompted the NFL to scrutinize such contract structures.[28][29] In 2014, the Pittsburgh Steelers applied the transition tag to outside linebacker Jason Worilds, who had emerged as a key pass rusher with 10 sacks the previous year. Worilds signed the one-year tender worth approximately $9.75 million and played the season, recording 3 sacks before becoming a free agent in 2015. Rather than test the market or negotiate further, Worilds unexpectedly retired at age 27, citing a desire to pursue other interests, including religious commitments, thereby forgoing potential lucrative long-term deals.[30][31][32] The Chicago Bears' use of the transition tag on cornerback Kyle Fuller in 2018 demonstrated the mechanism's potential for retention. After a solid 2017 season, Fuller received the tag valued at $12.97 million, allowing him to negotiate with other teams. The Green Bay Packers extended a four-year, $56 million offer sheet, but the Bears matched it, securing Fuller for the long term and avoiding any compensation loss. This case underscored the tag's role in providing teams with a right of first refusal without the higher cost or draft pick forfeiture associated with the franchise tag. Another illustrative instance came in 2015 when the Miami Dolphins tagged tight end Charles Clay with the transition tag following his breakout year. Clay signed a five-year, $38 million offer sheet with the Buffalo Bills, but the Dolphins declined to match, receiving no compensatory picks in return due to the tag's structure. Clay joined the Bills, highlighting the risk for teams that the tag offers no guaranteed compensation if an offer is not matched, unlike the non-exclusive franchise tag.[33] In 2016, the Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon, valued at $14.75 million. The tag was rescinded after Vernon signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the New York Giants, illustrating a case where the tag facilitated negotiation but did not result in retention.[34] The Arizona Cardinals used the transition tag on running back Kenyan Drake in 2020 for $8.72 million. Drake signed a two-year, $14.25 million offer sheet with the Las Vegas Raiders, which the Cardinals declined to match, allowing him to depart without compensation.[35] Overall, these cases reveal the transition tag's mixed outcomes, with teams successfully retaining talent in scenarios like Fuller's and Dugger's but losing players in others such as Hutchinson's, Clay's, Vernon's, and Drake's, often due to the lack of draft compensation incentives. The Hutchinson incident, in particular, influenced subsequent collective bargaining agreement negotiations, leading to prohibitions on poison pill clauses to protect the tag's integrity. While transition tags have been used sparingly since their inception in the 1993 CBA, their application has generally favored retention when teams are willing to match offers, though the mechanism's lower cost has made it a strategic tool for bridging negotiations.[28]Financial Aspects
Cost Calculation Methods
The cost of the transition tag is determined by the greater of two values as specified in the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): the average of the ten largest prior-year cap hits for players at the designated position, or 120% of the player's salary from the previous league year (including any signing or incentive bonuses earned).[10][1] This calculation ties directly to variables such as the player's position (based on snaps played in the prior year), the cap hits of the top ten players at that position from the previous season, and the overall salary cap size, which is derived from league revenue projections.[10][11] As a result, transition tag costs typically represent 10-15% of the total salary cap depending on the position, though this proportion escalates alongside NFL salary cap increases driven by media deals and revenue sharing.[11][1] Unlike some contract structures, the transition tag includes no void years, deferred bonuses, or prorated signing bonuses that accelerate into future caps; instead, the entire tender amount fully accrues against the team's salary cap in the designated season as a one-year, fully guaranteed salary if the player reports and remains on the roster.[10] This immediate cap charge simplifies short-term budgeting but influences long-term cap space, particularly if the team matches an external offer sheet—requiring absorption of the new contract's multi-year structure—or negotiates an extension, which may prorate costs over future years and limit roster flexibility.[11][1] The core salary formula for the transition tag follows the mechanics detailed in Article 10 of the CBA.[10]Recent Costs by Position (2020–2025)
The costs associated with the transition tag have risen consistently from 2020 to 2025, driven by the NFL salary cap's annual growth of approximately 8-10% and escalating player contracts at premium positions. This mechanism, which bases the tag on the average of the top 10 salaries from the prior season, results in values that highlight positional disparities: quarterbacks typically exceed $30 million in recent years, while running backs and specialists remain below $12 million. These figures provide teams with a cost-controlled option compared to the franchise tag but still represent a significant cap commitment, particularly as overall league spending has surged post-2020 CBA.[1] The table below details transition tag values for select positions over this period (in millions of USD, rounded to one decimal place for clarity). Data reflects official NFL calculations based on previous-year top-10 averages.[11][36][37]| Position | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 25.0 | 21.2 | 27.2 | 29.1 | 34.4 | 35.4 |
| RB | 8.5 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 9.8 | 11.1 |
| WR | 15.9 | 14.3 | 16.8 | 18.0 | 19.8 | 21.4 |
| TE | 9.3 | 8.2 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 10.9 | 11.7 |
| OL | 13.7 | 12.9 | 15.3 | 16.8 | 19.0 | 21.3 |
| DT | 13.4 | 11.8 | 14.7 | 16.1 | 18.5 | 20.8 |
| LB | 13.7 | 12.7 | 15.8 | 17.5 | 20.0 | 20.9 |
| K/P | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 5.4 | 5.7 |