Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY Tue, 17 February 2026 at 7:12 pm UTC·6 min read Freedom isn't free and neither is free agency. Countless NFL players are set to hit the open market after the conclusion of the 2025 season, but not everyone will be afforded that opportunity. Whether they like it or not, the NFL teams control the immediate future before free agency begins.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Players are subjected to the franchise tag period before being able to shake free. This year, the window opened on Feb. 17 and will close on March 3, marking two weeks of potential uncertainty for players with expired contracts. That's because the teams can slap a tag on a player of their...
