One of the easier decisions an NFL team makes in the offseason is the fate of their exclusive-rights free agents, or ERFAs. Simply put, ERFAs are players on expiring contracts who have played fewer than three seasons in the NFL (Note: You only accrue a season if you were on the roster or an injury list for six or more games).
The decision to retain—or tender—an ERFA is a unique one, because teams can offer these players a one-year contract at the league minimum cost. If a team tenders one of those offers, the players will then have just two options: Sign the one-year tender or sit out the entire season.