What is the purpose of franchise tagging a player?

Franchise tagging a player serves the specific purpose of controlling a player's contract for a designated season. When a team uses the franchise tag, it essentially extends a one-year offer to the player that is often worth the average of the top five salaries at the player's position or a set percentage increase from the previous year's salary, depending on the type of tag applied. This allows the team to retain the player's rights and keep them from entering free agency for that season.

This mechanism is particularly useful for teams wanting to maintain core players while they negotiate a long-term deal or assess the player's performance before committing to a lengthy contract. By tagging a player, the team secures the ability to keep them within their roster for that specific season, providing both stability and time to finalize more comprehensive arrangements moving forward.

The other options focus on different aspects of contract negotiations or team strategies that do not align with the primary purpose of the franchise tag, highlighting its unique role in player retention and contract management.