NFL franchise tag window opens today, who will get tagged?

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17 February 2026 at 16:55

The NFL offseason has now transitioned to the next phase: contract decision-making. We have already seen some surprising releases, including Miami letting two big names go yesterday.

Today, the NFL franchise tag period opens, allowing teams to use only one of three tags on a single player. Those tags include the non-exclusive franchise tag, the exclusive franchise tag, and the transition tag.

Each tag has a specific purpose and has both pros and cons to it. Regardless, only one of them can be used by each team.

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More specifically, they can only be applied to one pending free agent by each team. Here is a brief breakdown of the differences in these tags.

Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) runs after making a catch as New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (2) defends during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Franchise Tag (Exclusive)

The NFL exclusive franchise tag gives the franchise exclusive negotiating rights with the player. The value of the tag comes based on the top-five average salaries of that player’s position.

An example of this could apply to Dallas Cowboys’ receiver Georgia Pickens. Pickens had an outstanding season in Dallas and is due for a big payday. Despite this, Jerry Jones and company haven’t presented a formal offer yet.

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The exclusive franchise tag on Pickens then allows the Cowboys to negotiate a deal until the July deadline. He cannot be traded under the franchise tag unless he agrees to sign it–sending him to his new team on the tag.

Franchise Tag (Non-Exclusive)

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) cases during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The NFL non-exclusive franchise tag allows other teams to still negotiate with the pending free agent. However, the team that placed the franchise tag has the right to match the offer and retain the player.

If the tagging team chose not to match, they would be compensated with two first-round picks by the team that negotiated the deal with the player. The most recent example of this was with the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson.

Jackson was given the non-exclusive tag, which enabled other teams to negotiate a deal with Jackson. While no team ended up doing so, it provided the Ravens the opportunity to match any offer–in essence, having other teams do their hard work of negotiating a deal.

Transition Tag

Similar to the first two tags but unique in compensation and terms. The average valuation, instead of the top-five average position salary, is the top-10 average position salary.

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Additionally, this gives other teams an opportunity to negotiate, and the tagging team has the first right to match. However, unlike the franchise tag, if the tagging club doesn’t match or better the offer by another team, they will not be compensated for the player’s departure.

Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) carries the ball as New England Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (44) pursues at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

A player who could fit this is the New York Jets’ Breece Hall. With the Jets going through another transition phase, they may try to retain Hall–just not at top dollar range. This allows another team to swoop in and make an offer the Jets can refuse and allow Hall to join a new team.

NFL clubs have until March 3rd to place a tag on a player. If teams cannot come to a contract agreement, they could rescind the tag. Most of the time, however, the player will hold out until they come to an agreement.

The player is not susceptible to fines or punishment for missed OTAs, camps, practice, or games while tagged until they sign the tender.