Before NFL free agency and the 2026 league year begin in mid-March, teams are allowed to use franchise and transition tags on players between Feb. 17 and Tuesday (deadline at 4 p.m. ET).
The franchise tag is a designation teams can apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, and it binds the player to the team for one season. Franchise tag figures are based on the top five salaries at each position. Last offseason, two players were tagged: Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and Chiefs guard Trey Smith.
The Falcons kicked things off by tagging tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. On Friday, the Cowboys followed suit by tagging Pro Bowl wide receiver George Pickens. On the last day that players could be tagged, the Jets added running back Breece Hall to the list, and the Colts applied the transition tag on Daniel Jones.
Here’s a look at each player who has been tagged in 2026, the reasons they were tagged and what might come next.
Franchise tag salary: $37.833 million
Why he was tagged: The Colts and Jones couldn’t reach a deal on a contract extension before Tuesday’s tag deadline, so using a tag became necessary to protect their starting quarterback ahead of free agency next week. Jones is a tricky player to deal with given his late-season Achilles injury, but the dearth of quarterbacks in the draft and in free agency made the Colts reluctant to risk losing him.
What he brings: Jones showed a quick mastery of coach Shane Steichen’s offense, the quarterback utilizing his ability to diagnose defenses and distribute the ball to the Colts’ array of offensive weapons. Prior to his injury, Jones was one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league last season.
Stat to know: Jones’ 8.1 yards per attempt in 2025 was easily the highest of his career and part of the reason the Colts’ offense was historically efficient in the first half of the season. Jones has not historically pushed the ball downfield with aggressiveness, but he managed to find great success in the intermediate range.
Possibility of an extension: The Colts and Jones expect to continue talks even after the tag decision. The Colts have made the return of Jones a centerpiece of their offseason strategy, so there is significant motivation to get things done from the team’s perspective. Getting a deal done before Jones can negotiate with outside clubs would be ideal. — Stephen Holder
Franchise tag salary: $14.29 million
Why he was tagged: Hall is one of the best players on the team, and you don’t let your best players leave the building — especially on a talent-starved roster. He will be only 25 for the season, so we’re not talking about a running back on the verge of falling off the cliff. In theory, Hall should be entering the sweet spot of his career. Coach Aaron Glenn wants to have a run-oriented offense — “our brand,” he calls it — so it makes sense to keep your No. 1 running back.
What he brings: He’s a dual-threat player with home run ability. Hall was underused in the passing game last season, but everyone knows what he can do. He’s averaging 90 scrimmage yards per game in his career, ninth among running backs. He has a tendency to slip into these little funks, but he rushed for a career-high 1,065 yards in 2025 — no easy feat on a 3-14 team.
Stat to know: Over the past two seasons, Hall is one of only three running backs to record six “explosive” plays in a single game. He did it last season against the Dallas Cowboys. The others are Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey.
Possibility of an extension: Not accepting the Jets’ latest offer was a smart move by Hall. The running back market is expected to spike this offseason, with stars Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson eligible for extensions and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III likely hitting free agency. This should raise the floor for Hall. As of now, he’s probably looking at $14 million per year, in line with the franchise tender ($14.3 million). If Hall’s demands are deemed excessive, the Jets could ride it out for a year on the franchise tag, although it wouldn’t be an optimal use of cap room. — Rich Cimini
This season’s official franchise and tender numbers: pic.twitter.com/hLti6XbLtn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2026
Franchise tag salary: $27.3 million
Why he was tagged: The Cowboys want to keep him after he put up career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) in 2025. After acquiring Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade last spring, the Cowboys wanted to have more than a one-year relationship. This guarantees it’s at least two years and potentially longer, although Dallas used the non-exclusive tag on Pickens, which allows other teams to talk to him when free agency begins. But it also creates the question as to whether he will take part in the offseason program, minicamp or even training camp.
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What he brings: Big-play ability. Pickens is great at making contested catches surrounded by defenders (like his sideline grab over two Eagles defensive backs last season). He can change speeds when the ball is in his hands, almost lulling defenders to sleep before getting into a burst (like his touchdown vs. the Raiders). Pairing him with CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys believe they have one of the best — if not the best — receiver duos in the league.
Stat to know: Pickens had 13 catches of 25 yards or more in 2025, which was tied for fourth most in the NFL. His 73 catches that led to a first down was tied for third most.
Possibility of an extension: History says it is likely he will play on the tag. The Cowboys have not gotten a multiyear agreement done with a player they tagged for the first time since 2015 with receiver Dez Bryant. DE DeMarcus Lawrence and QB Dak Prescott were signed after they were tagged twice. TE Dalton Schultz (2022) and RB Tony Pollard (2023) left as free agents in the season after they were tagged. — Todd Archer
Franchise tag salary: $16.3 million
Why he was tagged: Pitts was one of the team’s most potent weapons in 2025 and the best tight end statistically in the NFL outside of the Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride. The Falcons need pass catchers for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. outside of running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London.
What he brings: Size at 6-foot-6 and speed. Also, an existing relationship with Penix. The two have driven to games together and become golfing buddies. Pitts was actually more effective with Kirk Cousins throwing to him, but that was also due to being featured with London injured late in the season. But the Falcons hope the Penix-Pitts connection can blossom.
Stat to know: Pitts had 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 11. He was the first tight end since Shannon Sharpe with at least 150 yards receiving and three touchdowns in a single game.
Possibility of an extension: The Falcons might ask Pitts to do it again. As in, duplicate or come close to his 2025 production. Pitts had a great rookie season in 2021 and then three off years mired by injuries and inconsistency. But another season like 2025 and Pitts would be unequivocally one of the best tight ends in football. It’s worth noting also that he is still just 25 years old. — Marc Raimondi
