The NFL’s window to franchise-tag players opens on Tuesday, bringing attention to three types of tags: non-exclusive franchise tag, exclusive franchise tag, and transition tag.

The non-exclusive tag guarantees a one-year deal based on the average of the top five salaries for the position over the last five years or 120% of the player’s prior salary, whichever is higher. It allows the player to negotiate with other teams but gives the current team the option to match any offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation.

In contrast, the exclusive tag is similar but restricts negotiation to the current team, with payment reflecting the average of the top five salaries at the position for the current year.

This offseason presents legitimate tag candidates, with Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver Tee Higgins and Miami Dolphins’ safety Jevon Holland among them. However, when considering Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive lineman Trey Smith, a franchise tag appears less likely, particularly due to the calculation method for offensive linemen.

According to Over The Cap, the most successful right guard, Chris Lindstrom from the Atlanta Falcons, has an AAV of $20.5 million. However, the franchise tag for offensive linemen is currently set at $25,156,000, averaging top salaries across all positions rather than just guards.

ESPN highlights that a transition tag is more plausible for Smith, which pays based on the average of the top 10 positions. While it enables the team to match offers, if the player leaves, the team receives no compensation. Smith is an intriguing free agent as he has only missed one start in four seasons and made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 with an impressive record of 665 pass-block snaps without a sack.

Smith, a standout interior offensive lineman, is primed for a salary increase—whether from the Chiefs, another team, or potentially through the transition tag.