Earlier than NFL free company and the 2026 league 12 months start in mid-March, groups are allowed to make use of franchise and transition tags on gamers between Feb. 17 and March 3 (deadline at 4 p.m. ET).
The franchise tag is a designation groups can apply to a participant scheduled to develop into an unrestricted free agent, and it binds the participant to the staff for one season. Franchise tag figures are based mostly on the highest 5 salaries at every place. Final offseason, two gamers had been tagged: Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and Chiefs guard Trey Smith.
The Falcons kicked issues off by tagging tight finish Kyle Pitts Sr., and Cowboys government vp Stephen Jones mentioned the staff is “leaning” towards making use of the franchise tag on Professional Bowl large receiver George Pickens, however they’re conscious that generally tagged gamers steer clear of the offseason program.
This is a take a look at the primary participant who has been tagged in 2026, the explanations he acquired tagged and what would possibly come subsequent.
Franchise tag wage: $16.3 million
Why he was tagged: Pitts was one of many staff’s most potent weapons in 2025 and the perfect tight finish statistically within the NFL outdoors of the Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride. The Falcons want cross catchers for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. outdoors of operating again Bijan Robinson and large receiver Drake London.
What he brings: Dimension at 6-foot-6 and velocity. Additionally, an present relationship with Penix. The 2 have pushed to video games collectively and develop into {golfing} buddies. Pitts was truly simpler with Kirk Cousins throwing to him, however that was additionally as a result of being featured with London injured late within the season. However the Falcons hope the Penix-Pitts connection can blossom.
Stat to know: Pitts had 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 11. He was the primary tight finish since Shannon Sharpe with a minimum of 150 yards receiving and three touchdowns in a single recreation.
Chance of an extension: The Falcons would possibly ask Pitts to do it once more. As in, duplicate or come near his 2025 manufacturing. Pitts had an amazing rookie season in 2021 after which three off years mired by accidents and inconsistency. However one other season like 2025 and Pitts could be unequivocally among the finest tight ends in soccer. It is price noting additionally that he’s nonetheless simply 25 years outdated. — Marc Raimondi
