_Q. What determines a franchise player?_
A. The salary offer by a player's club determines what type of franchise player he 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 18; 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 a non-exclusive franchise 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.
_Q. How many franchise players and transition players can a team designate each season?_
A. A club can designate one franchise player or one transition player among its potential restricted or unrestricted free agents.
_Q. Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designation on a player?_
A. Yes. A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designation, and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent, either immediately if the tender is withdrawn after the start of the 2025 league year, or when his 2024 contract expires if the tender is withdrawn before the start of the 2025 league year.
_Q. What is the salary cap for 2025?_
A. The salary cap is $279,200,000 per club.
_Q. When must teams be in compliance with the salary cap?_
A. At the start of the 2025 league year, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12.
_Q. If a team is under the salary cap at the end of a given season, can the team "carry over" room to the next season?_
A. Yes. A team may carry over room from one league year to the following league year by submitting notice to the NFL prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on the day following the team's final regular-season game, indicating the amount of room that the club wishes to carry over.
_Q. What is the maximum amount of room that a club can carry over?_
A. A club can carry over 100 percent of its remaining 2024 room to its adjusted salary cap for 2025.