The National Football League’s franchise tag window opened today, February 17, 2026, giving teams a two-week period to designate players as franchise or transition players, effectively preventing them from immediately entering free agency. The window will remain open until 4 p.m. ET on March 3, according to the NFL.
While the window is now open, experts anticipate a measured approach from teams. Rather than immediately applying tags, many franchises are expected to utilize the deadline as leverage in ongoing contract negotiations, hoping to secure long-term extensions before resorting to the one-year tender, as reported by NFL.com.
The franchise tag comes in three varieties. The most common is the non-exclusive franchise tag, which guarantees a player a one-year salary based on the average of the top five salaries at their position over the past five years, or 120 percent of their previous salary, whichever figure is higher. Players tagged with the non-exclusive designation are permitted to negotiate with other teams, but their current club retains the right to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation should they sign elsewhere.
Teams can likewise opt for the exclusive franchise tag, reserved for particularly valuable players. This tag prevents other teams from negotiating with the player and the tender amount is calculated similarly to the non-exclusive tag, averaging the top five current-year salaries at the position or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary. The transition tag, the third option, sets a one-year tender at the average of the top ten salaries at the position, granting the original club the right of first refusal to match any competing offers without compensation.
Several players have been identified as potential candidates for the franchise tag this offseason. According to Yahoo Sports, wide receiver George Pickens, currently with the Dallas Cowboys, is widely expected to receive the tag. Pickens, acquired via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a breakout season in 2025, recording 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Once a franchise tag is applied, teams and players have until July 15 to negotiate a multiyear contract extension. If an agreement isn’t reached by that date, the player will play the 2026 season under the terms of the one-year tender. Negotiations regarding the tender amount or additional incentives can continue even after the July 15 deadline, provided any agreement remains within a one-year timeframe.
The employ of the franchise tag is not without potential drawbacks. USA Today noted that tagging a player can sometimes damage the relationship between the player and the team, potentially leading to offseason absences or even forcing teams to release other players to accommodate the guaranteed salary of the tagged player under the salary cap.
