Your 2018 Guide to the NFL Franchise Tag

Le'Veon Bell is the most famous of 2018's franchise-tag-eligible stars.

Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the bal against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the bal against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Getty Images

ESPN has published a helpful guide for understanding the franchise tag as the NFL offseason begins to take shape. Starting Tuesday and ending March 6, NFL teams can designate players with the tag, which gives the team the right to match any offer sheet a player signs with another team or potentially be compensated if the player leaves. Should the player stay with the team, the player either signs a one-year deal on an especially high salary, or commits to a contract extension. Le’Veon Bell played under the tag in 2017, and could potentially do so again next year. Other players who could be franchised include the Rams’ Sammy Watkins, the Lions’ Ezekiel Ansah, and the Seahawks’ Sheldon Richardson.  

Win the Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Experience

Want the F1 experience of a lifetime? Here’s your chance to win tickets to see Turn 18 Grandstand, one of Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix’s most premier grandstands!