The NFL is a business, and players and fans alike are reminded of that every offseason.
With the Super Bowl only being in the rearview for a month, the new league year is fast approaching, which means teams are going to have to make roster decisions. Trades and free agency are the most popular topics to talk about, but the often forgotten option every year, because it isn’t used by every team, is the tag.
NFL teams have the option to franchise or transition tag one player every season. The non-exclusive franchise tag gives the player a one-year deal worth the average of the top-five salaries at his position. If another team wants to sign a player who has been franchise tagged, they will have to give two first-round draft picks to the original team, making it a rare occurrence.
The transition tag is also a one-year deal, but it is cheaper and takes the average of the top-10 salaries at a position, and it doesn’t provide any compensation if the player decides to sign elsewhere. Tags prevent players from leaving in free agency, but at a high cost.
Here are the latest updates around the NFL for players who could be tagged in the 2026 NFL offseason.
MORE: Vinnie Iyer ranks the top 100 free agents in the 2026 offseason
NFL franchise tag tracker
George Pickens
Pickens has been the biggest name to watch when it comes to getting tagged, and on Feb. 27, Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein reported that the Cowboys are planning to place the franchise tag on the star wide receiver, coming off a huge season after they acquired him from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones previously said about tagging Pickens, “Of course, learning toward the franchise tag … We want Pickens here. We think the world of him. Want him here. Love him, and I think he wants to be here. So all that’s a plus.”
Franchise tagging Pickens would cost Dallas around $28,037,000, but it would give them time to work out a long-term deal.
Breece Hall
Jets GM Darren Moughey said during a media appearance during the NFL Combine that the Jets will be using one of the tags on Hall if they can’t reach a long-term extension by March 3.
#Jets GM Darren Moughey on RB Breece Hall: “The tags are an option.” Asked again after that, says they’ll tag him if they can’t reach a long-term deal by March 3. pic.twitter.com/xhULhbue1E
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 24, 2026
Kyle Pitts
A day after it was reported that the Atlanta Falcons planned to tag tight end Kyle Pitts, it was made official. Pitts is the first player of the 2026 offseason to be tagged.
The Falcons have now officially placed the franchise tag on TE Kyle Pitts.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 24, 2026
NFL franchise tag values 2026
Below is a full list of the estimated non-exclusive franchise tag values for the 2026 offseason, per Spotrac.
Franchise Tag
| Position | Franchise Tag Value |
| Quarterback | $47,242,000 |
| Running Back | $14,186,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $28,037,000 |
| Tight End | $16,007,000 |
| Offensive Linemen | $27,764,000 |
| Defensive End | $27,710,000 |
| Defensive Tackle | $27,424,000 |
| Linebackers | $27,559,000 |
| Cornerback | $20,783,000 |
| Safety | $20,758,000 |
| Kickers/Punters | $6,846,000 |
Transition Tag
| Position | Transition Tag Value |
| Quarterback | $40,744,000 |
| Running Back | $11,410,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $24,390,000 |
| Tight End | $13,529,000 |
| Offensive Linemen | $25,101,000 |
| Defensive End | $22,390,000 |
| Defensive Tackle | $21,882,000 |
| Linebacker | $22,983,000 |
| Cornerback | $17,466,000 |
| Safety | $16,369,000 |
| Kicker/Punter | $6,133,000 |
