NFL Franchise Tag Window Closes Today

Several NFL teams face a key deadline as the franchise tag window closes Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. The tag allows teams to retain pending free agents on a one-year tender, buying time to negotiate a long-term contract or preventing them from hitting the open market. Although the window opened two weeks ago, clubs often wait until the final day to act, using the pressure of the deadline to finalize decisions.

Any player not tagged by the deadline will be free to enter the open market when the new league year begins March 11. With trade activity already picking up, teams are racing to finalize roster decisions before free agency officially opens.