The 2026 NFL franchise tag window opened on February 17 and closes on March 3.
During that window, teams can apply the franchise tag to one player, preventing them from hitting free agency and guaranteeing them a one-year contract based on their position's tag value.
This year's class of potential franchise tag candidates is headlined by Daniel Jones, George Pickens, Kenneth Walker, and several other big-name players whose teams must decide whether to tag them, let them walk, or negotiate a long-term extension before the tag deadline arrives.
The franchise tag is one of the most consequential tools in NFL roster management, and its ripple effects extend well beyond the teams involved.
Tagged players become restricted trade assets, cap figures shift, and the entire free agency market adjusts around who is and isn't available.
For bettors tracking team win totals and futures, and for fantasy managers monitoring dynasty rosters, these decisions matter from the moment they're made.
We're tracking every 2026 franchise tag decision below, including which players were tagged, which tag values apply by position, and what each decision means for the upcoming league year.
Last Updated: March 3
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| 2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Best Available Free Agents |
| NFL Free Agency 2026: Analyzing Every Major Signing (Updated Daily) |
| 2026 NFL Franchise Tag Tracker: Every Tagged Player & Values |
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Which NFL Players Received the Franchise Tag in 2026?
Four players received a franchise tag in 2026.
- Daniel Jones, QB, Colts — $37.8 million (transition tag)
- George Pickens, WR, Cowboys — $27.3 million
- Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons — $15.0 million
- Breece Hall, RB, Jets — $14.3 million
Players scheduled to be free agents after not receiving a franchise tag
- Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker
- Jaguars RB Travis Etienne
- Colts WR Alec Pierce
- Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson
- Chargers EDGE Odafe Oweh
- Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd
2026 Franchise Tag Values
| Position | Franchise Tag Value | Transition Tag Value |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | $43,895,000 | $37,833,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $27,298,000 | $23,852,000 |
| Defensive Tackle | $27,127,000 | $22,521,000 |
| Linebacker | $26,865,000 | $21,925,000 |
| Offensive Line | $25,773,000 | $23,392,000 |
| Defensive End | $24,434,000 | $21,512,000 |
| Cornerback | $21,161,000 | $18,119,000 |
| Safety | $20,149,000 | $16,012,000 |
| Tight End | $15,045,000 | $12,687,000 |
| Running Back | $14,293,000 | $11,323,000 |
| Special Teams | $6,649,000 | $6,006,000 |
*From Over the Cap
2026 Franchise Tag Deadline
Teams have until March 3 at 4 p.m. ET to apply a franchise or transition tag to an impending free agent.
Historical Tag Usage Table
| Year | Number of Tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2016 | 9 |
What is the Franchise Tag?
The franchise tag allows teams to prevent players from reaching free agency.
Franchise-tagged players are given a one-year tender. The value of that tender depends on their position.
Teams are only allowed to use the franchise tag on one of their free agents.
Once tagged, players have until July 15 to work out an extension with their team.
If that does not happen, the player can only play on the one-year franchise tag tender for the 2026 season.
Tagged players can be traded, but only after they have signed the one-year tender.
Explore related free agency content:
| 2026 NFL Free Agency Content |
|---|
| 2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Best Available Free Agents |
| NFL Free Agency 2026: Analyzing Every Major Signing (Updated Daily) |
| 2026 NFL Franchise Tag Tracker: Every Tagged Player & Values |
| NFL Free Agency Fantasy Impact 2026: Every Big Signing |
| NFL Free Agency Betting Implications: Which Signings Move the Needle Most? (Coming soon) |
| NFL Free Agency Fantasy Winners and Losers 2026 (Coming soon) |
