The franchise tag is a tool NFL teams use to offer one-year deals to a selected player for a franchise tag salary. Every team is allowed one franchise tag to be placed on one player, and that player will get the average of the top-five salaries at that position from the previous year. So, while the tagged player is guaranteed to be highly compensated for this season, there is no security of a long-term deal.

There are many reasons teams use the franchise tag. It can be a placeholder while the team and player look to work out a multi-year deal. It can be used to motivate a player on a prove-it deal. And it can be used as a short-term extension on players coming off their rookie deals if a team isn't willing to make a significant commitment.

The deadline for placing franchise tags on players for the 2025 season is March 4, 2025, at 4:00 pm Eastern.

Here are the costs for every franchise tag salary at every position for 2025.

2025 Franchise Tag Salary Costs

Offense

• Quarterback: $39,636,000
• Wide Receiver: $23,598,000
• Offensive Line: $23,051,000
• Tight End: $13,618,000
• Running Back: $13,437,000

Defense and Special Teams

• Linebacker: $25,069,000
• Defensive Tackle: $24,745,000
• Defensive End: $21,730,000
• Cornerback: $19,833,000
• Safety: $18,321,000
• Kicker/Punter: $6,218,000

Franchise tags constitute a significant milestone in the NFL offseason and a sign that free agency is near.

Check out our Player Movement Tracker to stay updated on all players moving around the league. And join over 700,000 people by subscribing to our Daily Email Update to hear how these transactions will affect player value and their fantasy football outlooks for the 2025 NFL season.