If a franchise player designation is removed before the player signs his tender, what happens next?

If a franchise player designation is removed before the player signs his tender, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA). This means that the player is free to negotiate and sign with any team without restrictions, which is a significant shift from the previous status of being designated as a franchise player, where certain conditions and exclusivities applied.

This outcome aligns with the rules governing franchise tags in the NFL. When a player is designated as a franchise player, it gives their current team exclusive rights to them, along with certain financial implications. However, if that designation is rescinded prior to the player signing the tender offer, the player loses that exclusive tie to the team and gains the freedom to explore opportunities elsewhere, allowing them to enter into negotiations with any other teams.

This transition underscores the importance of timing and contract negotiations within the structure of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. Players often leverage the designation for negotiation purposes, so removing it effectively opens the market for them, allowing for greater flexibility in their career choices.