The NFL offseason has officially begun, and on Tuesday, the two-week window for teams to designate the franchise tag opened.
Only players set to become unrestricted free agents are eligible for the franchise tag. The tag acts as a one-year contract that allows a team to retain a player on a guaranteed deal with a non-negotiated salary.
There are two types of franchise tags. An exclusive tag prohibits a player from negotiating with other teams. A non-exclusive tag allows a player to test the market, but if that player reaches a deal with a new club, his original team can opt to match it or refuse and be awarded two first-round picks as compensation.
The non-exclusive franchise tag is used more often, and the pre-fixed salary is determined by the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position from the previous five years applied to the current salary cap, or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary, whichever number is higher. Below are the projected franchise tag tenders, according to Over the Cap.
- QB: $47,321,000
- WR: $28,824,000
- LB: $28,197,000
- OL: $27,924,000
- DE: $27,322,000
- DT: $26,311,000
- CB: $21,414,000
- S: $20,876,000
- TE: $16,319,000
- RB: $14,536,000
- ST: $6,900,000
Each team can issue one franchise tag per offseason. Last year, only two teams took advantage (the Kansas City Chiefs for right guard Trey Smith and the Cincinnati Bengals for receiver Tee Higgins), the fewest in 31 years. The dip signaled a relatively weak free-agent class and suggested that organizations were being proactive in signing top players to long-term deals.
Here’s a look at this year’s top candidates for the franchise tag. The franchise tag window closes on March 3, with free agency opening on March 11.
Players to watch in 2026
Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens: The Cowboys traded a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick to acquire Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers last May, and he exceeded expectations in his one year in Dallas. Pickens set career highs in receptions (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine), and stepped up while CeeDee Lamb dealt with injuries.
Everyone from Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to executive vice president Stephen Jones has said they want to see Pickens back in Dallas. Meanwhile, Pickens said last month that he is “super prepared” to discuss his contract with Jerry Jones, but added that he will leave everything else up to his agent, David Mulugheta.
Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III: Fresh off an excellent postseason run and Super Bowl MVP honors, Walker’s value is at an all-time high. Walker played in all 17 games en route to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory, and he had a productive regular season while splitting reps with Zach Charbonnet. According to The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar, franchise-tagging Walker might be too pricey at an estimated $14.5 million (per Over the Cap), but the transition tag (a one-year tender offer for the average of the top 10 salaries at the position, as opposed to the top five) could be an option at $11.7 million. Seattle general manager John Schneider has used a tag only twice since taking over in 2010.
Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones: The Colts traded away first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, as well as receiver Adonai Mitchell, for star cornerback Sauce Gardner in November, signaling trust in Jones to be the long-term answer at quarterback. The 28-year-old brought a spark to Indy’s season early on, but it all came to a halt when a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14 ended the best season of his career. He came to the Colts on a one-year, $14 million deal last offseason, and per The Athletic’s James Boyd, all signs point toward Jones remaining with the team; it’s just a matter of what his contract will look like.
Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce: From a league-wide perspective, Pierce is the Colts’ top free agent. In 2025, Pierce eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career and, for the second straight season, led the league in yards per reception (21.3).
The Colts have used the franchise tag once since 2013, and it was on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in 2024. Pittman signed a long-term deal two weeks later.
New York Jets RB Breece Hall: Hall was a midseason trade candidate, and there’s a feeling he would like to test free agency after a career-best season, per The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt. If he does hit free agency, the 24-year-old would likely be considered the top player at his position and would be a hot commodity. That’s exactly why a franchise tag seems likely, especially because the Jets shipped away some of their other top talent at the trade deadline.
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: The 2021 first-round pick had a resurgent season in 2025 in which he recorded a career-high 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns. It was the kind of production that was reminiscent of his dominant rookie season, the only year in which he eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. But outside of his 2021 and 2025 campaigns, Pitts has largely underwhelmed, which could make him a good fit for the franchise tag and give the Falcons extra time to make a long-term decision.
Jacksonville Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd: Jacksonville declined to pick up Lloyd’s fifth-year option last spring because of inconsistent showings in his first three seasons, but Lloyd may have proved himself in 2025. Lloyd finished the most recent season with five interceptions (after having four combined in his first three years in the NFL), a fumble recovery, 10 QB hits and 1.5 sacks. Over the Cap projects the linebacker franchise tag to be valued at more than $28 million, and despite coming off a career-best season, that might be a steep price for a non-pass-rushing linebacker like Lloyd.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne: Etienne has emerged as an efficient dual-threat running back and is coming off a season in which he recorded a career-high 13 touchdowns (seven rushing, six receiving). But the Jags have options in how they want to mold their offense coming off the team’s first playoff appearance since 2022. This free-agent class is heavy at running back, and Jacksonville might be expecting more from its passing game after a breakout year from Trevor Lawrence and with Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. projected to start next season at full health.
Los Angeles Chargers DE Odafe Oweh: Oweh was acquired by the Chargers in a midseason trade with the Baltimore Ravens, and his career appears to be ascendant in Los Angeles. Oweh made up one-third of the Chargers’ fierce pass-rushing trio with Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack. The 27-year-old Oweh finished the regular season with 7.5 sacks and added three more in the Chargers’ playoff loss to the New England Patriots.
