NFL Franchise Tag Shock: Only 3 Players Tagged in 2026!

Breece Hall, George Pickens, Kyle Pitts receive franchise tag designations in a surprising offseason move.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:59am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric representation of a football game, with overlapping shapes and planes of color, conveying the evolving nature of the NFL's franchise tag system.The NFL's franchise tag system undergoes a surprising shift, with only three players receiving the designation in 2026, signaling potential changes in league dynamics.Indianapolis Today

The 2026 NFL offseason saw a significant drop in the use of the franchise tag, with only three players receiving the designation - Breece Hall of the New York Jets, George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys, and Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons. This marks a stark contrast to previous years, where the league consistently saw five or more players tagged annually.

Why it matters

The low number of franchise tags used this year is reminiscent of the league's early days, when the tag was rarely utilized. This unexpected trend raises questions about the changing dynamics in player-team relationships and the strategic shifts in team management across the NFL.

The details

The deadline for tagging players came and went on Tuesday, February 24th, at 4 p.m. ET, and only three teams made the move. The last time the franchise tag was used on two or fewer players was back in 1994, the very first year it was introduced. This year's low number of tags stands in stark contrast to the previous two seasons, where a total of five players were tagged.

  • The deadline for tagging players came and went on Tuesday, February 24th, at 4 p.m. ET.
  • The last time the franchise tag was used on two or fewer players was back in 1994, the very first year it was introduced.

The players

Breece Hall

A star running back for the New York Jets.

George Pickens

A wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.

Kyle Pitts

A tight end for the Atlanta Falcons.

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What’s next

The three players who received the franchise tag will now negotiate with their respective teams for long-term deals. If no agreement is reached by July 15th, they'll play the 2026 season under the franchise tag.

The takeaway

This unexpected drop in the use of the franchise tag raises intriguing questions about the evolving dynamics in the NFL, potentially signaling a strategic shift in team management or underlying changes in player-team relationships. The league's landscape is ever-evolving, and this rare occurrence might just be the tip of the iceberg.