FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The window for NFL teams to apply the franchise or transition tag opened Tuesday, and they have until 4 p.m. on March 3 to exercise either option.
Teams can assign the franchise or transition tag to one player set to become a free agent at the start of the new league year on March 11. These tags would prevent a player from hitting the open market, and the team has until July 15 to sign that player to a multi-year extension. If an extension can not be reached before that deadline, the player can only sign a one-year deal with the club for the 2026 season.
The NFL's football operations website has a thorough explainer of the tag process, detailing three options for clubs.
Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag
"A player who receives the non-exclusive franchise tag is free to negotiate with other teams. The player receives a one-year deal with a salary set at the greater of (a) the Cap Percentage Average for his position OR (b) 120 percent of his Prior Year Salary. ... Teams that use the non-exclusive franchise tag hold the right of first refusal. If a designated player signs an offer sheet with another team, the player's previous team has five days to match the offer sheet. Should it decide not to, the player's original team shall be entitled to draft-choice compensation equivalent to two first-round picks."
Exclusive Franchise Tag
"A player who receives the exclusive franchise tag cannot negotiate with other teams. The player receives a one-year deal for the greater of: (a) the average of the five-largest PYS at his position at the conclusion of the restricted free agent signing period of the current league year (April 22 in 2026) OR (b) the amount of the non-exclusive franchise tag."
Transition Tag
"A player who receives the transition tag is free to negotiate with other teams. The player receives a one-year deal for the greater of: (a) the Cap Percentage Average of the top 10 greatest PYS at the player's position OR (b) 120 percent of his own PYS. Should such a player sign an offer sheet with a new team, his former team has five days to match the offer sheet. The transition tag is a cheaper alternative to the franchise tag (i.e. the franchise tag for QBs in 2025 was $40.241 million, while the transition tag was $35.377 million). However, should his former team decide not to match, there is no draft-pick compensation tied to the transition tag. If a transition player has not signed an offer sheet with a new team by July 21, he can only negotiate and sign with his prior team that season."
The Falcons are in the midst of an offseason that will determine their new path. Atlanta named Matt Ryan its president of football and hired Kevin Stefanksi as its new head coach and Ian Cunningham as its new general manager — along with a number of other personnel changes. The Falcons do not currently have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they are near the middle of the pack in cap space, according to Spotrac. With some key contributors from the 2025 roster set to become free agents in March, the franchise or transition tags are potential options for Atlanta to keep a talented player in the fold.
The NFL first implemented the franchise tag system in 1993, and the Falcons have used it three times in the 32 years since. Atlanta used its first franchise tag in 2009 on punter Michael Koenen, who played on the tag that season before signing a one-year deal with the franchise for the 2010 season. During the 2011 offseason, Koenen signed a six-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ultimately spent four seasons with Atlanta's NFC South rival. The second instance of the Falcons using their tag was in 2012 to keep Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes in the fold. Grimes tore his Achilles tendon in the team's season opener and missed the remainder of a memorable campaign that ended in the NFC championship game. Atlanta most recently used the franchise tag on defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in 2019. Although he received the tag, Jarrett and the Falcons agreed on terms for a four-year extension before the offseason deadline ahead of the 2019 season. The fan favorite and team captain put together his first Pro Bowl season and earned a spot on the Associated Press' All-Pro second team after finishing with a career-best 7.5 sacks and 69 tackles.
Among the key players poised to hit free agency for Atlanta are tight end Kyle Pitts, linebacker Kaden Elliss, defensive tackle David Onyemata, edge rusher Leonard Floyd and running back Tyler Allgeier. Strong arguments could be made for each player to have a future with the Falcons, but Pitts is the player most national media members have pointed to as most likely to receive the franchise tag.
The former No. 4 overall pick is coming off the second-best season of his career and gained 928 yards in 2025, ranking second among all tight ends. He also scored a career-best five touchdowns, including three in a record-breaking performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15. Stefanski's offenses allowed for strong production from the tight end position in Cleveland, and Pitts, who is only 25 years old, has a lot to offer.
