Feb. 17, 2026, 12:08 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The window for NFL teams, including the\u00a0Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>, to utilize the\u00a0franchise tag\u00a0is now open from February 17th through March 3rd.<\/p>\n The Jaguars have two players — Devin Lloyd and Travis Etienne<\/a> — who could be franchise tag candidates. However, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports<\/a>\u00a0reported that his sources “do not expect” the Jaguars to use the tag on either player.<\/p>\n Each team has the ability to use the franchise tag on one of their pending free agents each offseason.<\/p>\n If applied, a franchise tag is essentially a one-year deal. The contract amount is predetermined and takes into account which position the tagged player plays.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0Over the Cap<\/a>, “franchise tag figures are based upon the top five salaries at each respective position.” So these deals come with large cap hits.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n The franchise tag was first implemented during the 1993 offseason, and since then, the Jaguars have utilized it in 11 different offseasons.<\/p>\n Most recently, it happened in 2024, when Jacksonville tagged defensive end Josh Hines-Allen. However, as is often the case, the two sides would end up agreeing to a contract extension not long after.<\/p>\n The Jaguars also utilized the tag in 2023 on tight end Evan Engram. But again, before that upcoming season, Engram and the Jaguars would agree to an extension.<\/p>\n Prior to those two instances, the Jaguars utilized the franchise tag<\/a> nine other times.<\/p>\n