NFL Opens Two-Week Franchise Tag Window, But Bucs Unlikely to Use It

Tampa Bay has used the franchise tag 8 times since 1993, but may pass on it this offseason.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 4:07pm

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The NFL's annual two-week period in which teams can place franchise or transition tags on players began on Tuesday. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have 17 players set to become unrestricted free agents, but don't have any obvious candidates for the tag this year. The Bucs also did not use a franchise or transition tag in 2025, and have only used the tag 8 times since it was introduced in 1993.

Why it matters

The franchise tag can be a valuable tool for teams to extend the exclusive negotiating period with important pending free agents. However, the Buccaneers have been selective in using it in recent years, preferring to work out long-term deals with key players like Shaquil Barrett, Chris Godwin, and Antoine Winfield Jr. after applying the tag.

The details

The Buccaneers have 17 players who are set to become unrestricted free agents if not re-signed before the start of the new league year on March 11. This list includes franchise icons Mike Evans and Lavonte David, but the team does not have any obvious candidates for the franchise tag this offseason. Tampa Bay also did not use the tag in 2025, when only two teams - the Chiefs and Bengals - utilized it.

  • The two-week window in which teams can place franchise or transition tags opened on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • The deadline to apply the tag is 4:00 p.m. on March 3, 2026.

The players

Mike Evans

A star wide receiver for the Buccaneers who is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Lavonte David

A veteran linebacker and franchise icon for the Buccaneers who is also set to hit free agency.

Shaquil Barrett

An outside linebacker who the Buccaneers used the franchise tag on in 2020 before signing him to a long-term deal.

Chris Godwin

A wide receiver who the Buccaneers used the franchise tag on in both 2021 and 2022 before reaching a long-term agreement.

Antoine Winfield Jr.

An All-Pro safety who the Buccaneers signed to a new four-year deal in 2024 after using the franchise tag on him.

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What they’re saying

“The franchise tag can be a valuable tool to extend the exclusive negotiating period with an important player who is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA).”

— Scott Smith (statenews.net)

The takeaway

While the franchise tag has been a useful tool for the Buccaneers in recent years, the team may opt to let it expire this offseason as they focus on re-signing their key free agents like Mike Evans and Lavonte David to long-term deals rather than using the tag.