The 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday saw four marquee players receive designations that keep them off the open market—for now. While the franchise tag remains the standard tool for roster control, the Indianapolis Colts made history by utilizing the rarely seen transition tag to retain their veteran quarterback.
The 2026 “Tagged” Class
Four players will play the 2026 season on high-value, one-year contracts unless long-term deals are reached by July:
- Daniel Jones (QB, Colts): $37.83 Million (Transition Tag). Jones is the first QB since 1996 to receive this tag, allowing Indy to match any outside offer.
- George Pickens (WR, Cowboys): $27.3 Million (Franchise Tag).
- Kyle Pitts Sr. (TE, Falcons): $16.3 Million (Franchise Tag).
- Breece Hall (RB, Jets): $14.29 Million (Franchise Tag).
Cardinals Enter a New Era: Kyler Murray Released
In the day’s biggest shockwave, the Arizona Cardinals officially informed Kyler Murray of his release. Following the hiring of new head coach Mike LaFleur, the organization decided to move on from the 2019 No. 1 overall pick.
- Financial Impact: Arizona still owes Murray $36.8 million for 2026. Due to offset language, if a new team signs him for the veteran minimum ($1.3M), Arizona’s bill drops to $35.5M.
- The Farewell: Murray took to social media to apologize for not ending the team’s 77-year championship drought, wishing the community “nothing but the best.”
📊 2026 NFL Tag Values & Cap Hits
| Player | Team | Tag Type | 2026 Salary |
| Daniel Jones | Colts | Transition | $37.83M |
| George Pickens | Cowboys | Franchise | $27.30M |
| Kyle Pitts Sr. | Falcons | Franchise | $16.30M |
| Breece Hall | Jets | Franchise | $14.29M |