Since its introduction in 1993, the 49ers have used the franchise tag designation just six times on five different players. The tag, which teams can only use once a year, binds a player to that team for an additional year. It guarantees the player a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position or 120 percent of the player's previous salary. Whichever is greater.
The following are the 49ers players that are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 9.
WR Anquan Boldin
G Alex Boone
RB Reggie Bush
K Phil Dawson
NT Ian Williams
Below are this year's franchise tag numbers for each position, per ESPN.
| Francise Tag | Comparable Player | Transition Tag | Comparable Player | |
| QB | $19.953M | Drew Brees ($20M) | $17.696M | Matthew Stafford ($17.7M) |
| RB | $11.789M | Jamaal Charles ($9.1M) | $9.647M | Arian Foster ($8.7M) |
| WR | $14.599M | Julio Jones ($14.3M) | $12.368M | Mike Wallace ($12.0M) |
| TE | $9.118M | Rob Gronkowski ($9.0M) | $7.714M | Charles Clay ($7.6M) |
| OL | $13.706M | Trent Williams ($13.2M) | $11.902M | Joe Thomas ($11.5M) |
| DE | $15.701M | J.J. Watt ($16.7M) | $12.734M | Charles Johnson ($12.7M) |
| DT | $13.651M | Gerald McCoy ($13.6M) | $10.875M | Geno Atkins ($10.7M) |
| LB | $14.129M | Clay Matthews ($13.2M) | $11.925M | Luke Kuechly ($12.4M) |
| CB | $13.952M | Richard Sherman ($14.0M) | $11.913M | Byron Maxwell ($10.5M) |
| S | $10.806M | Earl Thomas ($10.0M) | $9.116M | Jairus Byrd ($9.0M) |
| K/P | $4.572M | Stephen Gostkowski ($4.2M) | $4.123M | Britton Colquitt ($3.9M) |
The following are the past players that the 49ers have used the franchise tag on, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.
Steve Young (1993)
Terrell Owens (1999)
Julian Peterson (2004, 2005)
Aubrayo Franklin (2010)
Dashon Goldson (2012)
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' John Lynch addresses futures of Brandon Aiyuk and Mac Jones
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined The TK Show with Tim Kawakami and discussed the futures of two key players—Brandon Aiyuk and Mac Jones. Recent reporting revealed that the 49ers voided Aiyuk's guaranteed money for 2026, a move many viewed as signaling an... -
49ers great Roger Craig named 2026 Hall of Fame finalist
San Francisco 49ers legend Roger Craig took a significant step toward football immortality on Wednesday. The former NFL running back was named one of five finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining senior finalists Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood, coach... -
49ers' Shanahan still hopes Aiyuk returns this season—but isn't counting on it
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch didn't sound particularly optimistic Tuesday morning when discussing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's chances of returning this season. Appearing on Bay Area radio station KNBR, Lynch emphasized that while he remains hopeful, he can't... -
49ers' Brock Purdy may have a request for Mac Jones, explains sideline arm brace
Last year, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy surprised his offensive linemen with Toyota vehicles—an extravagant gesture considering he had not yet signed his lucrative contract extension. Of course, Purdy was an endorsement partner for Toyota at the time, meaning...