NFL teams are officially permitted to begin applying franchise or transition tags to players starting today, Feb. 17, according to @AdamSchefter. This critical window in the NFL offseason calendar will remain open until the deadline on March 3.
The franchise tag serves as a vital tool for organizations looking to retain marquee talent scheduled for unrestricted free agency. By applying the tag, teams can ensure a player remains under contract for the upcoming season on a guaranteed one-year deal, or use the time to continue negotiating a long-term extension. Several high-profile stars are entering this window as potential candidates for the designation, including Pittsburgh Steelers wideout George Pickens, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, and New York Jets running back Breece Hall.
Other notable players mentioned as potential tag recipients include Kyle Pitts, Kenneth Walker III, Trey Hendrickson, and Alec Pierce. Over the next two weeks, front offices across the league will weigh the significant salary cap implications of these one-year tenders against the risk of losing cornerstone players to the open market when the new league year begins.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting