What is a Franchise Player?

A Franchise Player is a player who is designated by a team and tendered a one-year offer at a salary that is typically the average of the top salaries for their position, or a percentage of the cap, ensuring that the team retains control over the player, even in free agency. This designation is crucial for teams looking to keep their best talent while managing salary cap limitations. By offering a franchise tag, the team effectively secures the player for at least one more season, providing both a financial incentive and a commitment from the player to stay with the organization.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately depict the status or implications of a Franchise Player. A player with an expired contract negotiating freely does not reflect the restrictive yet protective nature of the franchise designation. Simply re-signing a player does not necessarily involve the franchise tag process and lacks the specific conditions tied to being tagged. Lastly, the idea of a player guaranteed to make a certain salary regardless of performance doesn't align with the franchise tag, as the offer is based on market averages rather than a blanket guarantee, and the player's performance continues to play a significant role in their overall value.