The NFL has officially shifted into offseason mode, and that means the 2026 franchise tag window has arrived. Several high-profile candidates are already being floated as teams weigh their options. Adding another layer, the NFL Combine runs from 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 26, through 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 1, just one day before the franchise tag deadline.
PFSN’s NFL Franchise Tag Tracker will monitor every move across the league during this critical stretch. The tagging period opened on Feb. 17 and closes at 4 p.m. ET on March 3, setting the stage for a pivotal few weeks in roster building.
Atlanta Falcons
TE Kyle Pitts
The Atlanta Falcons officially announced on Tuesday that they had placed their franchise tag on Kyle Pitts. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Feb. 23 that the Falcons were going to keep Pitts around on a one-year, fully guaranteed deal worth more than $15M. Rapoport indicated that the team and Pitts will look to work out a long-term deal rather than the tag. They have until July to do it.
Cincinnati Bengals
DE Trey Hendrickson
On Tuesday, March 3, the Bengals announced that defensive end Trey Hendrickson would not get a franchise tag placed on him.
Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson is not being tagged and now will become an unrestricted free agent. pic.twitter.com/ZyJn4eN6cj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported in a post on X that this now makes Hendrickson an unrestricted free agent.
Dallas Cowboys
WR George Pickens
On Friday, Feb. 27, the Dallas Cowboys officially put the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. The team put a post on X to confirm this had taken place.
We have placed the franchise tag on George Pickens
📰: https://t.co/l2plrMBVUe | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/bxXdIFpoqP
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) February 27, 2026
According to a post on X from StatMuse, Pickens had career highs in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdown catches (nine). Pickens ranked third in the NFL in receiving yards in the 2025 NFL regular season.
George Pickens last season:
93 REC
1,429 YDS (3rd in NFL)
9 TDCareer-highs across the board. pic.twitter.com/cax5ZjvgKz
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 27, 2026
Cowboys director of player personnel Stephen Jones said on Feb. 23 that the club is leaning toward its franchise tag on George Pickens. As of Tuesday, the Cowboys have not officially tagged Pickens. Jones commented on the situation in an interview with reporters on Tuesday.
Jones was asked about it by longtime Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr., who posted Jones’ comments on X.
Asked Stephen Jones what’s the hold up on the Cowboys tagging George Pickens. He answered and then ended the press scrum pic.twitter.com/GbbQJLdgra
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 24, 2026
“I think every situation’s different,” Jones said. “We’ve been in a lot of different ones. We’ve had a lot of players who were franchised over the years and every situation’s different.” When asked what the Cowboys are waiting on regarding Pickens, Jones said, “We’re leaning that direction.”
Indianapolis Colts
QB Daniel Jones
On Tuesday, March 3, the Colts placed their franchise tag on quarterback Daniel Jones.
Another tag: The Colts are placing the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones, per sources. The transition tag is $37.833M, more than $6M cheaper than the QB franchise tag, but gives Jones the opportunity to sign an offer sheet with another team that Indianapolis would then have the… pic.twitter.com/eLmqLB5ZgH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
“Another tag: The Colts are placing the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones, per sources,” ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter posted along with the Jones news. “The transition tag is $37.833M, more than $6M cheaper than the QB franchise tag, but gives Jones the opportunity to sign an offer sheet with another team that Indianapolis would then have the right to match.”
With this news, the Colts chose not to put a franchise tag on wide receiver Alec Pierce.
WR Alec Pierce
There has been some chatter around whether or not Alec Pierce might get the franchise tag from the Indianapolis Colts. Colts beat reporter Destin Adams of A to Z Sports, in a post on X on Feb. 23, indicated that the team cannot afford to let Pierce hit the open market.
“Getting an extension done is the team’s preference, but they can also franchise or transition tag him,” Adams reported.
New York Jets
RB Breece Hall
On Tuesday, March 3, the Jets officially put a franchise tag on running back Breece Hall.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter posted the news on X on Tuesday morning as the NFL deadline for franchise tagging players drew nearer.
Tagged: As the Jets and RB Breece Hall continue to try to hammer out a lucrative long-term deal, New York is placing the $14.293 million franchise tag on its standout running back, per sources. The tag is designed as a placeholder until the two sides can reach agreement. pic.twitter.com/e9xqE4vGiR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
After news of the Jets tagging Hall, Hall headed out to X and shared a message to Jets and NFL fans alike.
Always been the type to bet on myself. Been working…see yall soon, Love🤞🏾
— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) March 3, 2026
There was some talk that the New York Jets might use the franchise tag on Hall. Jets general manager Darren Mougey offered an update on Hall’s situation, according to a post on X from SNYtv Jets reporter Connor Hughes.
“Darren Mougey says that Breece Hall will be with the #Jets next season,” Hughes wrote. “If they can’t sign him, then they will tag him. Hall going nowhere”.
Mougey spoke to reporters at the NFL Training Combine on Tuesday, offering more insights into what the organization is thinking right now about Hall.
GM Darren Mougey on Breece Hall’s future:
“The tags are an option. Ideally, we’ll find a way to get a deal done” pic.twitter.com/1QX0Mz4bTx
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 24, 2026
“Yeah, the tags are an option,” Mougey said. “Ideally, we’ll find a way to get a deal done to keep Breece around. I think I’ve said that in the last year since I got here. Breece is a good player, want to find a way to keep him around. We’ve been going through that process and are still doing so.
“And, you know, we have a week to find out, if we can’t get to an agreement, which way we will go with that tag,” Mougey said.
ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini indicated in a Feb. 23 post on X that the franchise would like to sign Hall to an extension. “A three-year, $33M contract ($20M gtd) seems fair. Failing a deal by March 3, they need to use a tag. If not, he probably will walk, and they get nothing (except maybe a 2027 comp pick).”
