NEW YORK - The franchise tag for quarterbacks in 2013 will be $14.896 million.
Under the franchise tag in 2013, a player is paid according to a formula based on salaries for the past five years at the position and their percentage of the total salary cap.
With the non-exclusive tag, his team has the right to match any offer sheet, or get two first-round draft picks in return for allowing him to leave.
Both sides can continue to negotiate on a longer deal even after a franchise tag has been applied.
An exclusive tag ties him to his current team at a higher, but as-yet-undetermined price, for one season.
In a quarterback-driven league, Flacco certainly would draw plenty of interest on the open market.
Already tagged are Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd at $6.916 million, Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee at $2.977 million, Cincinnati defensive end Michael Johnson at $11.175 million, Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady at $9.828 million and Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton.
The other tags for franchise players are $10.854 million for cornerbacks; $10.537 million for wide receivers; $9.828 million for offensive linemen; $9.619 million for linebackers; $8.45 million for defensive tackles; $8.219 million for running backs; and $6.066 million for tight ends.
Transition tags also were set Friday. If a player gets that tag, he is free to negotiate with other teams, and his current club has the right to match any offers. If it doesn't match, the player leaves with no compensation owed.
The transition figures range from $13.068 million at quarterback to $5.194 million for tight ends and $2.7 million for kickers.
III
The Chicago Bears have placed a franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Henry Melton.
In a statement Friday, General Manager Phil Emery said Melton has been a good player for the Bears and the team is using the franchise tag "so his development continues as a Bear."
The 26-year-old Melton was a fourth-round draft pick out of Texas in 2009.