The 2025 NFL season wrapped up just over a week ago, and already the league is shifting gears toward 2026. That transition officially begins Tuesday, when the two-week window to apply the franchise tag opens.
Now, while the deadline to actually use the tag isn’t until March 3, don’t be surprised if some teams move early-especially with the NFL Scouting Combine (also known as the unofficial start of free agency negotiations) right around the corner. Tagging a player before the league gathers in Indianapolis sends a clear message: this guy isn’t hitting the open market.
That’s really the essence of the franchise tag. It gives teams a powerful tool-one per year-to hold onto a top-tier player without letting him test free agency.
Instead of a bidding war, the player gets a one-year deal at a price determined by a formula tied to the top salaries at his position. It’s not always welcomed by players, but for teams, it’s a way to keep control of elite talent without committing to a long-term deal.
Last year, only two players were tagged: Tee Higgins by the Bengals and Trey Smith by the Chiefs. That was the fewest since 2006, and this year may not be much different in terms of volume. But there are still some big names worth watching.
**Let’s start in Seattle. ** Running back Kenneth Walker III is coming off a monster playoff run-376 rushing yards in three games and a Super Bowl MVP trophy to cap it off.
He’s played out his rookie deal, and now the Seahawks have a decision to make. Tagging him would cost $14.1 million, which also buys them time until July 15 to work out a long-term extension.
But this is where it gets tricky: how much are teams willing to invest in a running back these days? The market has cooled considerably for the position, and Seattle has to weigh whether Walker is the kind of back who breaks that trend-or if history (see: Shaun Alexander’s post-MVP decline) offers a cautionary tale.
In Dallas, wide receiver George Pickens is another potential tag candidate. His talent isn’t in question, but the economics are.
The franchise tag for a wideout would come in around $28 million-far less than the $40 million-plus per year Pickens is likely aiming for on a long-term deal. That discrepancy could create tension, but from the team’s perspective, it’s a way to keep a star receiver in the building without immediately resetting the market.
Over in Atlanta, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. is entering a pivotal offseason. Pitts posted career highs in receptions (88) and touchdowns (5) in 2025, but he’s still chasing the lofty expectations that came with being the No. 4 overall pick in 2021.
The Falcons’ new regime-led by the same quarterback who threw to Pitts during his rookie season-has to decide whether he’s worth the $16 million tag. It’s a reasonable price for a tight end with Pitts’ upside, but only if the team believes that a true breakout is still coming.
**Philadelphia has a choice to make, too. ** The Eagles traded a third-round pick to Miami midseason for linebacker Jaelan Phillips, and he delivered down the stretch.
Now they have to decide whether to tag him, re-sign him, or let him walk and hope for a compensatory pick in 2027. It’s a classic short-term vs. long-term calculation.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, could go back to the tag well-this time for defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The cost?
A hefty $30.2 million, thanks to his 2025 cap number. That’s a steep price, especially with some tension reportedly lingering between Hendrickson and the team.
But pass rushers of his caliber don’t grow on trees, and the Bengals have to decide whether they can afford to let him go.
Now, don’t expect a flood of tags this year. The days of 20-plus players getting tagged (like in 2012) are long gone.
That spike was a product of a unique CBA adjustment and a temporary cap situation. These days, teams are more selective, and the price tags-especially at premium positions-are too high to justify unless the player is truly elite.
But here’s the bottom line: the franchise tag remains one of the most team-friendly tools in the NFL. It allows front offices to keep star players at below-market rates, and while it only directly affects the guys who get tagged, it also suppresses the overall market by keeping top-tier talent from hitting free agency.
From a player’s perspective, it’s a tough pill to swallow. One year of security, sure-but at the cost of long-term stability and the open-market payday they’ve earned. Still, as long as it gives teams a way to retain stars without handing over full leverage, the tag isn’t going anywhere.
So as the tag window opens, watch closely. The moves made-or not made-over the next two weeks will shape the early storylines of the 2026 offseason.