The franchise tag window is opening up Tuesday through March 3, which means teams will get one chance to safeguard their roster before free agency opens up. Every team gets one franchise tag, which it can use to force a player to return to the team for a season.
Tagged players are given a one-year contract that is an average of salaries based on a formula. In most cases, it is a significant raise over a rookie deal, but often much less in total than what a traditional star’s second contract would look like.
Franchise tags are rarely used, with only two players getting tagged in 2025. Wide receiver Tee Higgins was tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Smith was tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs, per NFL Media.
Every Franchise Tagged NFL Player In 2026
At the time of writing, no players have been tagged. However, there are plenty of candidates to watch for.
Franchise Tag Candidates Including Kenneth Walker III
Believe it or not, the Super Bowl MVP is slated to become a free agent after the season. Kenneth Walker III could be in line for a significant pay increase, but only if Seattle lets him go. Seattle has a history of moving on from players before it’s clear to most that they need to move on (D.K. Metcalf, Russell Wilson). However, if Seattle wants to retain Walker after a 1,027-yard season, the tag is available.
Rashid Shaheed is also expected to become a free agent after an impressive season in which he popped with two different teams, hitting roughly a 1,000-yard pace with New Orleans before getting traded to the Seahawks, and helping the team win a Super Bowl.
George Pickens is another franchise tag candidate and perhaps the most likely player to be tagged in the NFL. Jerry Jones is arguably the most hesitant general manager when it comes to paying his stars, so a one-year prove-it deal is in the cards as a way to buy time.
Rico Dowdle is also in the conversation, although his production in December and January suggests that the Carolina Panthers might be ready to let the former Cowboys running back walk.
- Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
- George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
- Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
- Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
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