The NFL’s franchise tag is the ultimate power move, allowing teams to retain an unrestricted free agent and continue negotiating an extension by locking them into a one-year contract. From the player’s perspective, it may not offer long-term security but it means they’ll be well compensated, with their salary based on the average of the top five highest-paid NFL players at their position.
Once the franchise tag is assigned, both sides have until July 15 to agree on a multi-year extension. If not, they’ll have to wait until after the season to restart negotiations. Some tags lead to long-term extensions, while others end up in player holdouts and trade drama.
Now that the March 3 franchise tag deadline has passed, the offseason picture is beginning to take shape. While big-name free agents like Trey Hendrickson and Kenneth Walker III avoided the designation, there were still several star players tagged as teams across the league were faced with a number of difficult roster decisions.
Here’s a look at every NFL star who received the franchise tag in 2026.
Kyle Pitts – TE, Falcons
Once known only for disappointing fantasy owners, Pitts is coming off his strongest season since his rookie year. He finished the campaign with a career-best 88 receptions, picking up 928 yards and 5 touchdowns along the way.
The former fourth-overall pick became indispensable to the Falcons’ offensive game plan last year, and was about to hit free agency at the perfect time. Since he was given the franchise tag, the physically gifted tight end will stay in Atlanta on a one-year deal worth just over $15 million.
Still just 25 years old, Pitts is a high-upside player with plenty of untapped potential. But is he worth resetting the tight end market in a long-term extension? The franchise tag gives the Falcons more time to decide, while paying their tight end a premium salary in the process.
George Pickens – WR, Cowboys
After emerging as Dallas’ top vertical threat last season, the Cowboys simply could not afford to let George Pickens walk as a free agent. Acquired just last year in a trade with the Steelers, the mercurial wide receiver didn’t take long to show fans why he’s such a dangerous offensive weapon. He ended the year with 93 receptions and 1,429 receiving yards, third-most in the NFL.
This year’s franchise tag is paying wide receivers roughly $27 million, so you can be sure that Jerry Jones did not come to this decision lightly. With CeeDee Lamb carrying a $38.4 million cap hit next season, the Cowboys are investing a significant portion of their 2026 salary cap at the wide receiver position.
Placing the franchise tag on Pickens will give Dallas the NFL’s top receiver duo, but it may also lead to them being vulnerable at other positions. For now, the Cowboys are betting on Pickens to justify the investment and prove that doubling down at receiver was the correct call. Easy to see why he featured at number one in our NFL free agency 10 best players available list.
Breece Hall – RB, Jets
A game-breaking talent and one of New York’s few standout players over the past few years, Hall is coming off the first 1,000-yard season of his career. For an offense that’s already short on explosive plays, the Jets had to do whatever was necessary to keep Hall on the roster for the upcoming season.
The dual-threat running back has been an effective rusher and receiver, handling a heavy workload week in and week out over the course of his rookie contract. Now set to earn just north of $14 million, Hall will be well compensated during the 2026 campaign.
Most NFL teams today are hesitant to pay a running back that much money, but this decision could pay dividends for the Jets. By placing the franchise tag on Hall, it allows New York to maintain their offensive identity, while giving them more time to see how the roster develops before committing to a long-term deal.
Daniel Jones – QB, Colts
After joining the Colts on a one-year deal last season, Jones quickly won the starting job and immediately delivered on the field, helping Indy jump out to an 8-2 start. Although his season would eventually be derailed by a torn Achilles, he had already proven himself as a playoff-caliber quarterback when healthy.
Designating Jones with the franchise tag makes a lot of sense for the Colts, as quality quarterbacks are rare to come by these days and Indy did not want to risk losing him to free agency. At the same time, they did not want to commit to a long-term extension on a player who’s attempting to come back from a devastating injury.
Applying the franchise tag to the quarterback position does not come cheap, with this year’s salary expected to reach nearly $40 million. It’s a huge one-year payday for Jones, and it gives him the opportunity to prove he belongs in the conversation with the NFL’s premier passers. If he performs well in 2026, he’ll be in a position to land a massive extension next year.