Can both restricted and unrestricted free agents be franchise tagged?

The reason why both restricted and unrestricted free agents can be franchise tagged lies in the structure of NFL free agency rules. The franchise tag is a designation given to an NFL player that allows the team to retain the rights to that player for at least one season, typically when the player's contract has expired.

Unrestricted free agents are those whose contracts have expired and who are free to sign with any team without any restrictions from their previous club. While teams generally do not retain the rights to unrestricted free agents, they can apply the franchise tag if they want to keep the player within the organization for an additional season by offering a one-year contract at a predetermined salary level or average salary of the top players in that position.

On the other hand, restricted free agents are players with expired contracts who are subject to the rules of the Restricted Free Agent Tender. Teams can tender offers that allow them to match any offer made by other teams or receive compensation if they choose not to match. The franchise tag can also apply here, allowing a team to retain a restricted free agent under similar conditions to those for unrestricted free agents.

Thus, it is true that both restricted and unrestricted free agents can technically be franchise tagged, allowing teams different avenues for retaining talent as they navigate the dynamics