The NFL's 2026 franchise tag window opened, with Dallas set to tag George Pickens at ~$28M, while Seattle likely won’t tag Kenneth Walker III.

The NFL’s franchise and transition tag window opened on February 17, 2026, giving teams until March 3 to retain upcoming free agents. The Dallas Cowboys are projected to apply the non-exclusive franchise tag to wide receiver George Pickens, potentially paying him around $28 million for 2026. The tag allows Pickens to negotiate with other teams, but Dallas can match offers or receive two first-round picks if they decline. Seattle’s John Schneider is unlikely to tag running back Kenneth Walker III despite $63 million in projected cap space. In 2025, two tagged players—Tee Higgins and Trey Smith—signed long-term deals before the July 15 deadline. Final tag values depend on the unannounced 2026 salary cap.