Franchise Tag Deadline Sparks Leaguewide Moves as 4 p.m. Clock Ticks

Atlanta and Dallas act early, while multiple contenders weigh last-minute tag decisions amid a wave of roster activity.

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The NFL’s franchise tag window closes today at 4 p.m. ET, forcing front offices into definitive roster decisions before the start of the new league year. With the deadline looming, teams across the league are balancing short-term control with long-term cap strategy, while several players await clarity on their immediate future.

Thus far, two organizations have used the non-exclusive franchise tag. The Atlanta Falcons placed the tag on tight end Kyle Pitts for $15.045 million, while the Dallas Cowboys tagged wide receiver George Pickens for $27.298 million. Both designations secure the players on one-year tenders while still allowing negotiation on multi-year extensions before the July 15 deadline.

The tag window, which opened two weeks ago, often produces final-hour activity as clubs weigh extension talks against the cost certainty of a one-year tender. Any player not tagged by the deadline will move one step closer to unrestricted free agency, though teams may continue negotiating extensions with their own pending free agents.

Several notable players remain candidates to receive the tag, according to reports:

• The New York Jets have indicated they would tag running back Breece Hall if a long-term deal is not reached.

• The Cincinnati Bengals have not ruled out tagging defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

• The Indianapolis Colts are monitoring potential tag scenarios involving quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce.

While the deadline dominates headlines, roster moves continued throughout the league.

Roster Moves

Cincinnati Bengals

• G Dalton Risner re-signed on a one-year contract after appearing in 14 games in 2025.

Cleveland Browns

• OT Tytus Howard acquired from Houston for a fifth-round pick; expected to sign a three-year, $63 million extension.

Detroit Lions

• RB David Montgomery traded to Houston for a fourth-round pick, OL Juice Scruggs and a seventh-round pick.

• OL Graham Glasgow released, saving $5.5 million in cap space.

Kansas City Chiefs

• OT Jawaan Taylor released, clearing $20 million in cap space.

Los Angeles Rams

• WR Xavier Smith, OL Justin Dedich and K Harrison Mevis tendered as exclusive rights free agents.

Miami Dolphins

• OL Liam Eichenberg released (failed physical).

• CB Ethan Bonner tendered as an exclusive rights free agent.

Seattle Seahawks

• RB George Holani and DB Ty Okada tendered as exclusive rights free agents.

Washington Commanders

• CB Marshon Lattimore released.

• OL Nick Allegretti agreed to a new two-year deal through 2027.

An exclusive rights free agent is a player with fewer than three accrued seasons whose team can retain him by offering a one-year minimum contract, eliminating outside negotiation.

With the tag window closing and roster reshuffling accelerating, the league shifts from negotiation to execution. Which team makes a final-hour move before 4 p.m., and how will today’s decisions reshape the early stages of free agency?