The NFL offseason has reached its first major strategic crossroads. As of today, Tuesday, February 17, general managers across the league are looking at their rosters with one question in mind: who is too valuable to let go? The franchise tag window is now officially open, and teams have until March 3 at 4 p.m. ET to decide if they will use this powerful-and expensive-tool to keep a key player from hitting the open market.
How the franchise tag works in 2026
At its heart, the franchise tag is a “safety net” for teams. It allows a club to retain a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent by offering them a one-year, fully guaranteed contract. For the players, it offers a massive payday but lacks the long-term security of a multi-year extension.
There are three versions of the tag that teams can use:
- Non-Exclusive Tag: The most common choice. The player can talk to other teams, but his current team can match any offer. If they don’t, they receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
- Exclusive Tag: Reserved for the elite (usually QBs). The player cannot negotiate with anyone else. The salary is based on the average of the top five salaries at the position for the current year.
- Transition Tag: A slightly cheaper option that gives the team the right to match any outside offer, but provides no draft picks if the player leaves.
Why do teams use the franchise tag?
Teams use the franchise tag for several strategic reasons:
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