The NFL offseason took a significant step forward today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with the opening of the franchise tag window. Teams now have until 4 p.m. ET on March 3 to designate players with either the franchise or transition tag, preventing them from immediately entering free agency. Even as a flurry of activity isn’t expected right away, this period is crucial for teams looking to retain key players and strategically navigate the upcoming free agent market.
The franchise tag process isn’t simply about retaining talent; it’s often a calculated move in contract negotiations. Teams frequently leverage the tag as leverage, signaling their commitment to a player while simultaneously creating a deadline to finalize a long-term extension. As NFL.com notes, the deadline serves as a “soft threat” to encourage extension talks before the one-year tender is applied. If a multi-year deal isn’t reached, the player will play under the terms of the tag for the 2026 season.
Understanding the Franchise Tag Options
NFL teams have three primary options when utilizing the franchise tag: the exclusive, non-exclusive, and transition tags. Each carries different implications for both the team and the player. The most commonly used is the non-exclusive franchise tag, which tenders a one-year contract based on the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position over the last five years, or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary, whichever is greater. This allows the tagged player to negotiate with other teams, but their current club has the right to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation if they sign elsewhere.
The exclusive franchise tag, often reserved for premier players like franchise quarterbacks, offers the tagging team sole negotiating rights. This exclusivity comes with a higher salary tender, calculated as the average of the top five salaries at the position for the current year or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary. Teams are willing to pay a premium – and potentially forgo the draft compensation – to keep these elite players exclusively within their organization.
Finally, the transition tag offers a one-year tender based on the average of the top ten salaries at the player’s position. While less restrictive than the exclusive tag, it still grants the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer from another team, but without the compensation of draft picks if they choose not to match.
Potential Candidates and What to Expect
Several players are considered potential candidates for the franchise tag this year. George Pickens, the wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, is widely expected to receive the tag, with the Cowboys reportedly already planning to use it. Pickens had a breakout season in 2025, recording 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Other players who could be in line for the tag include tight complete Kyle Pitts and running back Breece Hall, though the specific players tagged will depend on team priorities and salary cap considerations.
According to Yahoo Sports, only two players – Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals) and Trey Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) – received the franchise tag last offseason. This suggests that teams are becoming more selective in their use of the tag, prioritizing long-term extensions whenever possible.
Once a tag is applied, teams and players have until July 15 to negotiate a multiyear extension. If an agreement isn’t reached by then, the player will play the 2026 season under the one-year tender, with the possibility of renegotiating incentives within that timeframe.
The next two weeks will be critical as teams weigh their options and determine which players, if any, will receive the franchise tag. This period sets the stage for the remainder of the offseason, influencing free agency decisions and shaping the landscape of the 2026 NFL season. Stay tuned for further developments as teams navigate this crucial window.
What are your thoughts on which players deserve the franchise tag this year? Share your opinions in the comments below!