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In just two days, we should know whether or not the Seattle Seahawks will stay true to form under John Schneider and not use either the franchise tag or transition tag. The only times they’ve ever used the franchise tag since Schneider became general manager in 2010 were Olindo Mare and Frank Clark, the latter eventually traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in lieu of playing on the tag. Clark signed his tag and got a contract from the Chiefs afterward.
The Seahawks have three high-profile free agents who could be considered tag candidates: Rashid Shaheed, Riq Woolen, and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. It seems more likely that all three walk in free agency than any one get the franchise or transition tag.
Last week we had a post in The Feed from regular Field Gulls commenter Donut Receipt, which linked to The Ringer NFL podcast speculating that the Seahawks could use the less heralded transition tag on Walker. While it’s not an impossibility, it’s also both risky and extremely unlikely.
The key differences between the transition tag and franchise tag
Transition tags are cheaper than franchise tags
If the Seahawks wanted to franchise tag Walker, for example, then it would cost them $14,293,000 and immediately count against the salary cap whether he signs or not. Under the transition tag, Walker’s one-year deal would also be fully guaranteed and immediately count against the cap, but the salary would be “only” $11,323,000. Saving over $3 million sounds pretty good! Except…
There is no exclusive transition tag
An exclusive franchise tag means a player cannot negotiate with other teams, whereas a non-exclusive franchise tagged player can speak with other teams and receive an offer sheet.
Transition tags are only non-exclusive and therefore players are free to negotiate elsewhere and sign an offer sheet. Just like the non-exclusive franchise tag, the original team has five days to match any offer sheet. But here’s the problem…
There is NO draft compensation for losing a player on the transition tag
If an offer sheet to a non-exclusive franchise tagged player is not matched, then the original team receives two first-round picks as compensation.
If an offer sheet to a non-exclusive transition tagged player is not matched, then the original team gets nothing in return. Zip. Zilch. Nada. There are no draft picks coming back—tagging a player also negates the compensatory pick avenue—hence this is a riskier move that is seldom made.
Transition tag usage is very rare
Dating back to 2014, only six players have been given the transition tag, most recently Kyle Dugger in 2024 before he signed an extension with the New England Patriots (only to be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last year). For context, eight players had a franchise tag designation just in 2024.
An example of a team losing a player with no draft compensation in return is the Miami Dolphins, who transition tagged tight end Charles Clay in the 2015 offseason. The AFC East rival Buffalo Bills signed him to a five-year, $38 million contract and Miami opted not to match.
On the flip side, the Green Bay Packers gave Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller a four-year, $56 million offer while he was transition tagged back in 2018. Chicago matched the offer and he stayed with the Bears.
Let’s not go down the transition tag road as Seahawks fans
I know such clauses are now defunct, but the Seahawks know a thing or two about a transition tag gone wrong. Steve Hutchinson, “poison pill” language from the Minnesota Vikings, Super Bowl window immediately closes, and the rest is history. Seattle has not used the transition tag in the 20 years since then.
tl;dr:
- Don’t tag, let them test the market = Possible compensatory draft picks in 2027 if they’re not re-signed
- Non-exclusive franchise tag, let them test the market = Two first-round picks in compensation if an offer sheet is not matched
- Transition tag, let them test the market = Nothing if an offer sheet is not matched
The Seahawks are unlikely to tag any of their free agents, but even less so with the transition tag.