The 2026 NFL franchise tag window opens on Feb. 17, sparking a flurry of activity between Tuesday and the March 3 deadline. The franchise tag is typically just a starting point—a placeholder for a long-term extension or a trade—as the cap cost of a player playing on the tag is often too much to stomach.
There are several major franchise tag candidates this year, though not all of them will actually be tagged. Let’s go through some of the top options to be slapped with the NFL franchise tag in 2026, and some who'll avoid it altogether.
NFL Franchise Tag Candidates
George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Let’s start with the most prominent name to be franchised, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. The Cowboys traded a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick last May. Pickens went on to have the best season of his career with Dallas, earning second-team All-Pro honors after catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Despite what was ultimately a forgetful season for the Cowboys, the trade worked out swimmingly in 2025. Now what?
Combining the rising cost of top receiver talent, the draft capital spent to acquire Pickens, and Jerry Jones’ love of big-name players, it seems very likely that the former second-round pick will be slapped with the franchise tag. The wide receiver tag is estimated to be around $28 million, per Spotrac. That’s in line, AAV-wise, with what Pickens’ market value would be as a free agent. Expect Jones to tag Pickens and work on a multi-year deal in the $30 million AAV range.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Tagged
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Is there any better scenario than hitting free agency coming off a Super Bowl MVP performance? After splitting backfield time with Zach Charbonnet, Kenneth Walker III really got a chance to shine in the postseason—particularly after Charbonnet went down with an ACL injury in the Seattle Seahawks’ first playoff game. Walker accumulated 417 total yards and four touchdowns in three games, including his MVP Super Bowl LX performance.
Seattle needs to add to its running back room with or without Walker in the mix, as only Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, Cam Akers, and Jacardia Wright are under contract next season. However, franchise tagging running backs is often considered an NFL faux pas.
Walker is projected to earn a multi-year contract in the $9-10 million range in free agency, but the running back franchise tag pays roughly $14 million. Seahawks general manager John Schneider has only used the franchise tag twice since assuming the role in 2010—and one of them was on a kicker. If Walker and Seattle can’t work out a long-term deal, I expect the running back to hit free agency without being tagged.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Not Tagged
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
The New York Jets basically stripped everything down to the studs in 2025, so they’re a little more unpredictable when it comes to the few key contributors remaining on their roster. Cap space isn’t an issue, but bringing back Breece Hall might be. Hall teased his disinterest in remaining with the Jets at various points throughout last season, but will time (and a payday) heal all wounds?
Hall crossed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground for the first time in 2025, finishing with 1,415 total yards and 5 total touchdowns in 2025. He and Garrett Wilson are the only major pieces to build around at the offensive skill positions.
As mentioned above, the running back franchise tag pays roughly $14 million. However, Hall’s projected market value is in the $10-12 million AAV range, a mark that makes him a more likely tag candidate than Walker. We’ll predict that the Jets will tag him (maybe with the transition tag) and try to buy some time to work out a long-term deal with the option to trade him if he balks at a return to East Rutherford.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Tagged
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
What a strange career it’s been for Kyle Pitts since he was drafted fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He had a 1,000-yard season as a rookie, but Falcons fans were still left a bit disappointed with only one trip to the end zone. Pitts spent the next three years as a solid but unspectacular player, trending toward bust territory. Then, in 2025, seemingly out of nowhere, he had his best season, posting 88 catches for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns. He ended up being the Falcons’ leading receiver.
So what does Atlanta do now? Pay him long-term based on a contract year performance? Ignore that he may have finally broken out in his age-25 season? It’s not an easy call for Matt Ryan and Ian Cunningham.
The franchise tag for a tight end pays around $16 million, roughly $5 million more than Pitts’ projected AAV if he were to hit free agency. The Falcons are in the middle of the pack in cap space, so they could afford to play Pitts on a franchise tag, but they may want to spend that money/cap space elsewhere this offseason in a winnable division. I expect Atlanta to try to re-sign Pitts, but not use the franchise tag.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Not Tagged
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Hendrickson’s franchise tag number is more than $30 million and he’d be crazy not to accept that amount as a fully guaranteed salary for the 2026 season. The Cincinnati Bengals won’t tie up that amount of cap space in a player who clearly doesn’t want to be there anymore. No long explanation is needed here. Hendrickson will hit unrestricted free agency in March.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Not Tagged
Odafe Oweh, OLB, Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers traded for Odafe Oweh in October and he immediately became a key contributor. In his 13 games (including playoffs) with the Chargers, Oweh had 10.5 sacks and 21 QB hits. He looked a lot more like he did in 2024 with the Baltimore Ravens than he did to start 2025 before the trade.
Oweh is only 27 years old and will be a coveted free agent if he hits the open market. However, the projected franchise tag number for him is north of $27 million. While he might flirt with a $20 million AAV on the open market, I can’t see the Chargers tagging him. Expect the two sides to work out a long-term deal.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Not Tagged
Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts
There seems to be a mutual understanding that Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts want to continue their partnership for 2026 and beyond. An Achilles injury will likely keep Jones sidelined to start the 2026 season, but he’s expected to regain the starter’s role once he returns (October?). His injury and the small sample size of his career turnaround complicate the potential compensation package he’s set to receive.
Jones was trending toward being a $40-50 million quarterback before his Achilles failed, but what about now? Does Jones want to sign a long-term deal this year or wait until he’s potentially healthy next offseason? Will the Colts pay $47 million to franchise tag him? I don’t think so.
If the Colts want to contend, they’ll need to negotiate at least a two-year deal with Jones to get the cap number in a tenable spot. While they could use the tag as a placeholder, it’s risky. I think they’ll come to a deal with Jones without needing the franchise tag.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Not Tagged
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Why tag Alec Pierce and not Jones? Well, I think there’s a better chance Pierce leaves in free agency if he gets there. Pierce showed major flashes in 2024 but really broke out in 2025, with 47 catches for 1,003 yards and 6 touchdowns. Even with the addition of rookie tight end Tyler Warren and relatively healthy seasons from Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, Pierce emerged as the Colts’ WR1.
While a franchise tag would cost around $28 million for 2026, Pierce could command $20 million AAV in free agency. As stated with Jones, the idea of anyone in Indianapolis playing on the tag is not appetizing for the Colts’ front office. However, limiting Pierce’s options to just them (or a trade) will probably save them some money on a multi-year deal in the end.
Franchise Tag Prediction: Tagged
Honorable Mentions: Travis Etienne (not tagged), Devin Lloyd (not tagged), Isaiah Likely (not tagged), Wan’Dale Robinson (not tagged), Mike Evans (not tagged)