FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As the Atlanta Falcons navigate a pivotal offseason under new leadership, the team faces key decisions regarding several impending free agents. The window for applying the franchise or transition tag opened Tuesday, giving Atlanta until 4 p.m. On March 3 to secure the rights to one player set to hit the open market on March 11. The use of these tags, as detailed by the NFL’s football operations website, represents a strategic tool for retaining talent whereas evaluating long-term contract possibilities.
The franchise tag isn’t a new concept in the NFL, having been implemented in 1993. For the Falcons, it’s been utilized sparingly – just three times in the past three decades. Understanding the nuances of the tag system – the non-exclusive, exclusive, and transition options – is crucial for both teams and players as they prepare for the next phase of roster building. The stakes are particularly high this year for Atlanta, as they build around a new coaching staff and front office led by president of football operations Matt Ryan, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and general manager Ian Cunningham.
Understanding the Franchise Tag Options
The NFL offers three primary tag options, each with distinct implications for both the team and the player. The NFL’s official explainer outlines these options clearly. The non-exclusive franchise tag allows the player to negotiate with other teams, but the original team retains the right to match any offer. If they choose not to, they receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. The salary is determined by the greater of the average of the top players at the position or 120 percent of the player’s prior year salary.
The exclusive franchise tag prevents a player from negotiating with other teams altogether, offering the team complete control for one year. The salary calculation is based on either the average of the five highest-paid players at the position or the non-exclusive franchise tag amount. Finally, the transition tag allows for negotiation with other teams, but with a lower salary than the non-exclusive tag. If another team signs the player, the original team has five days to match. Crucially, unlike the non-exclusive tag, there is no draft pick compensation if they decline to match.
A Appear Back at the Falcons’ Use of the Tag
The Falcons’ history with the franchise tag is relatively limited. In 2009, they applied the tag to punter Michael Koenen, who subsequently played one season under the tag before signing a one-year deal with the team for 2010. Koenen eventually signed a six-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011, spending four seasons with the division rival. In 2012, the team used the tag on cornerback Brent Grimes, a move that unfortunately coincided with a season-ending Achilles tendon injury for the Pro Bowl player. Most recently, in 2019, the Falcons used the franchise tag on defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Fortunately for both sides, Jarrett and the team reached an agreement on a four-year extension before the deadline, solidifying his role as a key defensive player and a team captain. He went on to earn his first Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro honors that season.
Pitts at the Forefront of the Tag Conversation
As the Falcons assess their options for 2026, tight end Kyle Pitts has emerged as the player most frequently discussed as a potential franchise tag candidate. Several national media outlets, including NFL.com and ESPN, have highlighted Pitts as a likely candidate. Coming off a strong 2025 season where he recorded 928 receiving yards – second-most among all tight ends – and a career-high five touchdowns, including a record-breaking three-touchdown performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15, Pitts has proven his value to the offense.
The arrival of Kevin Stefanski as head coach adds another layer to the equation. Stefanski has a proven track record of utilizing tight ends effectively in his offensive schemes, as demonstrated during his time with the Cleveland Browns. With Pitts still just 25 years old, the Falcons may view the franchise tag as a way to secure his services while they explore a long-term contract extension. However, the decision isn’t solely focused on Pitts. Linebacker Kaden Elliss, defensive tackle David Onyemata, edge rusher Leonard Floyd, and running back Tyler Allgeier are also key contributors set to become free agents in March, presenting the Falcons with a complex set of choices.
The Falcons currently lack a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and find themselves in a middle-ground position regarding cap space, according to Spotrac. This financial landscape further complicates the decision-making process, making the franchise tag a potentially valuable tool for retaining key players without immediately committing to long-term contracts.
The next key date for the Falcons and the rest of the NFL is March 3, the deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players. The coming days will be critical as the new Falcons’ leadership team weighs its options and charts a course for the future.
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