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EspañolWhy NFL teams don’t use the transition tag over the franchise tag
In just two days, we should know whether or not the Seattle Seahawks will stay true to form under John Schneider and not use either the franchise tag or transition tag. The only times they’ve ever used the franchise tag since Schneider became general manager in 2010 were Olindo Mare and Frank Clark, the latter eventually traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in lieu of playing on the tag. Clark signed his tag and got a contract from the Chiefs afterward.
The Seahawks have three high-profile free agents who could be considered tag candidates: Rashid Shaheed, Riq Woolen, and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. It seems more likely that all three walk in free agency than any one get the franchise or transition tag.
Last week we had a post in The Feed from regular Field Gulls commenter Donut Receipt, which linked to The Ringer NFL podcast speculating that the Seahawks could use the less heralded transition tag on Walker. While it’s not an impossibility, it’s also both risky and extremely unlikely.
The key differences between the transition tag and franchise tag
Transition tags are cheaper than franchise tags
If the Seahawks wanted to franchise tag Walker, for example, then it would cost them $14,293,000 and immediately count against the salary cap whether he signs or not. Under the transition tag, Walker’s one-year deal would also be fully guaranteed and immediately count against the cap, but the salary would be “only” $11,323,000. Saving over $3 million sounds pretty good! Except…
There is no exclusive transition tag
An exclusive franchise tag means a player cannot negotiate with other teams, whereas a non-exclusive franchise tagged player can speak with other teams and receive an offer sheet.
Transition tags are only non-exclusive and therefore players are free to negotiate elsewhere and sign an offer sheet. Just like the non-exclusive franchise tag, the original team has five days to match any offer sheet. But here’s the problem…
There is NO draft compensation for losing a player on the transition tag
If an offer sheet to a non-exclusive franchise tagged player is not matched, then the original team receives two first-round picks as compensation.
If an offer sheet to a non-exclusive transition tagged player is not matched, then the original team gets nothing in return. Zip. Zilch. Nada. There are no draft picks coming back—tagging a player also negates the compensatory pick avenue—hence this is a riskier move that is seldom made.
Transition tag usage is very rare
Dating back to 2014, only six players have been given the transition tag, most recently Kyle Dugger in 2024 before he signed an extension with the New England Patriots (only to be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last year). For context, eight players had a franchise tag designation just in 2024.
An example of a team losing a player with no draft compensation in return is the Miami Dolphins, who transition tagged tight end Charles Clay in the 2015 offseason. The AFC East rival Buffalo Bills signed him to a five-year, $38 million contract and Miami opted not to match.
On the flip side, the Green Bay Packers gave Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller a four-year, $56 million offer while he was transition tagged back in 2018. Chicago matched the offer and he stayed with the Bears.
Let’s not go down the transition tag road as Seahawks fans
I know such clauses are now defunct, but the Seahawks know a thing or two about a transition tag gone wrong. Steve Hutchinson, “poison pill” language from the Minnesota Vikings, Super Bowl window immediately closes, and the rest is history. Seattle has not used the transition tag in the 20 years since then.
tl;dr:
- Don’t tag, let them test the market = Possible compensatory draft picks in 2027 if they’re not re-signed
- Non-exclusive franchise tag, let them test the market = Two first-round picks in compensation if an offer sheet is not matched
- Transition tag, let them test the market = Nothing if an offer sheet is not matched
The Seahawks are unlikely to tag any of their free agents, but even less so with the transition tag.
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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Micah Potter coming on strong for Indiana
The NBA season is winding down, but the fantasy basketball season is heating up. Injuries and blatant tank jobs have opened up new opportunities, and fantasy managers can find plenty of unsung heroes on the waiver wire.
As a reminder, this article will only feature players rostered in 25% or less of Yahoo! leagues for the rest of the season. The waiver wire in competitive leagues is cut-throat, and managers looking for an end-of-season edge will need to dive deep.
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for Week 19.
→ Watch the NBA on Peacock on Monday night, as the Clippers take on the Warriors in the Bay Area. The action gets underway at 10 p.m. ET!
Raphielle JohnsonPriority Adds
1. Micah Potter
2. Nique Clifford
3. Will Riley
4. Leonard Miller
5. Danny Wolf
6. Guerschon Yabusele
7. Julian Champagnie
8. Olivier-Maxence Prosper
9. Elijah Harkless
10. Taylor Hendricks
11. Al Horford
12. Javon Small
Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings (18 percent rostered)
The rookie’s three-game scoring slump is far behind him as he’s posted double-digit points in four straight. In that span, Clifford has averaged 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.5 triples across 34.5 minutes. He’s got a tremendous runway for the rest of the season as Sacramento careens toward the lottery.
Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs (18 percent rostered)
Champagnie’s scoring is hit-or-miss, but he’s been steadily impactful as a defender and continues to start for San Antonio. Across his last four outings, Champagnie has averaged 14 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks and 3.8 triples.
Micah Potter, Indiana Pacers (13 percent rostered)
Potter has split time with Jay Huff in the frontcourt, but he’s made quite an impact as of late. Across his last three games (all off the bench), he’s averaged 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.3 triples. Potter has been electric as an outside shooter and defender, and that versatility has been tremendous for fantasy managers. The return of Pascal Siakam could put a damper on Potter’s current heater, but the Pacers have little incentive to rush Spicy P back into action.
Have yourself a half, Micah Potter
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 25, 2026
He has 17 points late in Q2. pic.twitter.com/ElPgGYyqNr
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Memphis Grizzlies (12 percent rostered)
Prosper has started five straight for the Grizzlies, turning his increased opportunity into 12.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocked shots and 1.0 triples across 23.4 minutes. His playing time isn’t ample, but that’s been the case for most Memphis players as of late. O-Max is doing enough to warrant a roster spot in most fantasy leagues.
Will Riley, Washington Wizards (10 percent rostered)
The Wizards will continue to prioritize minutes for their young players down the stretch and the rookie will be a prime beneficiary. Across his last four games, Riley has averaged 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 triples across 32.5 minutes.
️ yeah rook! pic.twitter.com/ATT5hmUG97
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 22, 2026
Javon Small, Memphis Grizzlies (10 percent rostered)
The WVU product has seen increased playing time as of late, and he’s found his groove as Year 1 comes to a close. Small has averaged 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.2 triples across 25.5 minutes over his last six outings. Memphis’ backcourt is ravaged by injuries, and Small should take on meaningful minutes moving forward.
Al Horford, Golden State Warriors (8 percent rostered)
The veteran continues to deliver, logging solid performances in a shorthanded Warriors frontcourt. Across his last three, the 39-year-old has averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.7 blocked shots and 3.3 triples across 25.3 minutes.
Taylor Hendricks, Memphis Grizzlies (8 percent rostered)
Hendricks is enjoying a productive start to his Grizzlies tenure after getting traded from Utah at the deadline. Over his last four games, Hendricks has averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocked shots and 2.0 triples across 25.3 minutes. Memphis’ frontcourt is somehow more shorthanded than Golden State’s, and Hendricks should stay heavily involved for the rest of the 2025-26 campaign.
SUNDAY'S FINAL SCORES
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2026
Taylor Hendricks knocks down a career-high 5 threes as the @memgrizz win on the road!
Jaylen Wells: 18 PTS, 2 STL
Olivier-Maxence Prosper: 17 PTS
Scotty Pippen Jr.: 16 PTS, 5 AST
Rayan Rupert: 16 PTS, 6 REB https://t.co/q4Hupv1VnNpic.twitter.com/s7KUu4NMD1
Guerschon Yabusele, Chicago Bulls (7 percent rostered)
With Jalen Smith hobbled by a nagging calf injury, Yabusele has enjoyed a productive run in the starting lineup, averaging 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.0 triples across 25 minutes over his last five games. The big man is taking full advantage of his new opportunities, and fantasy managers can readily find him on the waiver wire.
Danny Wolf, Brooklyn Nets (4 percent rostered)
Brooklyn has done a great job getting its rookies involved in Year 1, and Wolf has posted solid numbers over the last week. Across his last three games, he’s averaged 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.3 triples across 24 minutes. He had the best game of his career on Sunday, going off for 23/9/5/2 with three triples in 27 minutes against Cleveland. He’ll look to carry that momentum forward.
Danny Wolf in the first half:
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2026
12 PTS
3 AST
3 3PM pic.twitter.com/ENSDYrh5j1
Elijah Harkless, Utah Jazz (1 percent rostered)
Harkless has logged four straight games since being recalled from the G League, and he’s seen substantial minutes in each of his last two outings. In that two-game span, Harkless has averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.5 blocked shots and 1.0 triples across 24.5 minutes. The two-way player has more than enough games left for the 2025-26 campaign, so fantasy managers should expect him to be available moving forward.
Leonard Miller, Chicago Bulls (0 percent rostered)
Miller has come on strong over his last two games with averages of 13 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 2.0 blocked shots and 1.5 triples across 25 minutes. Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams are dealing with injuries, and it’s no secret that Chicago’s frontcourt rotation is razor thin. Miller is a sneaky add, especially if Guerschon Yabusele is already rostered.
Leonard Miller with the reverse jam to enter crunch time!@leonardmi11er | @CHSN_pic.twitter.com/T3UeHS1d7X
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 27, 2026
Other options:Moses Moody (23%), Herbert Jones (23%), Peyton Watson (23%), Jordan Miller (4%), Jaylin Williams (4%), Tristan da Silva (3%), Daeqwon Plowden (1%)