“Stupid.” That’s the one word Steelers defensive lineman and NFLPA executive committee member Cam Heyward used to sum up the NFL’s franchise tag this week. Thirty-three years after its origin in the 1993 CBA, this mechanic remains deeply unpopular, and Heyward isn’t holding back on why.
Heyward’s Beef With the Backwards System
Heyward sees this whole thing as a huge disadvantage for players. “It hampers players,” he said, questioning why any team should “take advantage of a player for one year.” He believes it’s used in negotiations, part of a system with “player options, the franchise tags, the way they control rookies,” that he feels is “kind of backwards.” For Heyward, if a player is at the top of his position, he should be paid that way. It’s about getting what you deserve, right?
The Money’s Just Not Right
The tag wasn’t always this off-kilter. For years, it was based on the five highest-paid players at a position from the prior year. But in 2011, the formula shifted to a five-year average of the cap percentage from the top five earners. The result: “bizarre results” where the tag doesn’t even come close to reflecting the market. Take Cowboys receiver George Pickens, for example. He’s looking at $27.298 million under the 2026 tag, but the market for guys like him is already soaring past $42 million. Heyward’s own Steelers teammate, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., is in the same boat. His 2026 tag is $21.61 million, yet the current market rate for his position is a staggering $33.75 million, over $12 million behind. While that number could rise next year if the Steelers tag him again, it will still land well below market.
Why the Tag Won’t Budge
So, why does it stick around? Because it has huge value for teams. It gives them the ability to “squat on an elite player” without having to compete on the open market to keep him. Beyond that, by keeping top players off the open market, it prevents the overall market from increasing. It stops the “rising tide from lifting all other boats.” This isn’t changing without bargaining, and the NFLPA would have to give something up. Even then, the NFL may view it as non-negotiable. Would players strike over that? Probably not.
It’s a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in the NFL. A single mechanism, born decades ago, continues to stir up massive frustration and hold back player earnings. As long as teams get this much value, expect Heyward’s “stupid” tag to keep players battling for what they feel they truly deserve.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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