Franchise player designations were announced today for the 2017 NFL free agency signing period, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 9.
A club can designate one “franchise” player or one “transition” player among its veteran free agents.
The salary offer by a player’s club determines whether the franchise player designation is exclusive or non-exclusive.
An “exclusive” franchise player – not free to sign with another club – is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 21; or (ii) 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 such a player:
The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the “Cap Percentage Average”) . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater . . . .
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 player contract with any club, except that draft choice compensation of two first-round draft selections shall be made in the event he signs with a new club.
The signing period for franchise players begins at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on March 9 and ends on the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season (November 14).
This year, two players (Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh and Kirk Cousins, Washington) were designated as exclusive franchise players. Five players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players. No players were designated as transition players.
2017 FRANCHISE PLAYERS
| Club | Player | Position |
| Arizona | Chandler Jones | LB |
| Carolina | Kawann Short | DT |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Melvin Ingram | LB |
| Los Angeles Rams | Trumaine Johnson | CB |
| New York Giants | Jason Pierre-Paul | DE |
| Pittsburgh | Le’Veon Bell* | RB |
| Washington | Kirk Cousins* | QB |
*Denotes Exclusive Franchise Player
The Salary Cap for the 2017 league year has been set at $167,000,000 per club. The resulting 2017 Cap Percentage Average (“CPA”) tenders for nonexclusive franchise players are as follows:
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE PLAYERS
| Position | Tender Amount |
| Quarterback | $ 21,268,000 |
| Running Back | $ 12,120,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $ 15,682,000 |
| Tight End | $ 9,780,000 |
| Offensive Linemen | $ 14,271,000 |
| Defensive End | $ 16,934,000 |
| Defensive Tackle | $ 13,387,000 |
| Linebacker | $ 14,550,000 |
| Cornerback | $ 14,212,000 |
| Safety | $ 10,896,000 |
| Kicker/Punter | $ 4,835,000 |
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