The 2025 season ended eight days ago. In one day, the first significant moment toward the refinement of rosters for 2026 arrives.
The annual two-week window for applying the franchise tag opens on Tuesday, February 17.
As some have suggested in the past, the only day that really matters is the last day for applying the tag (March 3). But with the Scouting Combine (a/k/a Tampering Central) coming next week, some teams may be inclined to apply the tag before all of them convene in Indianapolis, in order to make it clear that an impending free agent won’t be free.
That’s the most important thing to remember about the franchise tag. It gives each team the ability to block one player per year from earning on the open market a long-term contract from the cash-and-cap-rich teams.
Last year, only two tags were applied — by the Bengals to receiver Tee Higgins and by the Chiefs to guard Trey Smith. It was the fewest total tags since 2006.
This year, there are several intriguing candidates for the franchise tag (or, in theory, the little-used transition tag).
The list starts with Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III. He finished his 2022 second-round contract with a flourish, gaining 376 rushing yards in three playoff games and winning the Super Bowl MVP award. It would cost the Seahawks $14.1 million to extend Walker’s stay by a fifth year and/or to extend until July 15 the ability to sign him to a long-term deal.
The question for the Seahawks becomes projecting whether another team will break the bank for a running back, and whether Walker (with his name and accomplishments removed from the equation) justifies a major investment moving forward, given the supply-demand realities of the running back position. (In 2006, the Seahawks gave running back Shaun Alexander a market-level deal after his MVP season, and they quickly regretted it.)
Cowboys receiver George Pickens could be headed for the tag, even if he may not be thrilled about it. One year and $28 million falls far short of the market-level, multi-year deal ($40 million per year or more) he may desire.
Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. will be hitting the market, barring the tag. He had a career high in catches (88) and touchdowns (five), but Pitts has still yet to live up to the potential that made him the fourth overall pick in 2021, one spot above receiver Ja’Marr Chase. It remains to be seen whether the new regime in Atlanta (led by the quarterback who threw passes to Pitts as a rookie) will choose to apply the $16 million tag.
The Eagles sent a third-round pick during the 2025 season to the Dolphins for linebacker Jaelan Phillips. He performed well in Philly, and the Eagles have to decide whether to try to keep him or to let him go, and to collect a potential compensatory draft pick in 2027.
The Bengals may decide to use the tag to keep defensive end Trey Hendrickson around for another year. The price tag ($30.1992 million, based on his 2025 cap number) is high. And there’s lingering acrimony between player and team.
Whatever the final number, the number will likely be far closer to last year’s two than the 2012 record high of 21. That year, the shift in calculation from the 2011 CBA combined with a small bump in the cap due to the lockout made it cheaper to use the tag.
Cheap continues to be the operative word. Teams want to keep their best players without having to pay market rates. And while, in theory, that only impacts the players who don’t get to become free agents, it also holds down the rest of the market by not letting the best free agents get every penny they deserve.
So, yes, the franchise tag stinks for players. But it’s never going away, given that it gives teams the annual ability to keep a highly-talented player around without giving him the contract he has otherwise earned.
The Bengals missed the playoffs for the third straight season and it wasn’t hard to diagnose what kept the team from advancing beyond Week 18.
Quarterback Joe Burrow’s toe injury kept him off the field for half the season, the team finished 29th in rushing yards and they struggled to stop opposing teams even when the offense was getting the job done. All three playoff-less seasons have seen the defense finish near the back of the pack in points and yards allowed, which is likely what wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is referenced when he was asked about how the team needs to approach the offseason.
“Yeah. I mean, everybody pretty much knows what we need,” Chase said, via Russell Heltman of SI.com. “I’ve said it out in the media. All I gotta do is sit back and watch. I can’t control that, so all I gotta do is control my production. I mean, at the end of the day, I’m just stating my opinion on what I think we need. So, you know, I sit back, let the organization do what they do, and I just gotta let my play do the rest.”
Chase’s play has made him one of the most productive wideouts in the league since he entered the NFL, but that won’t be enough to lift the Bengals back into the upper ranks of the AFC if the defense remains little more than a speed bump to opposing offenses.
The NFL filed a grievance over the NFL Players Association’s annual report cards in order to keep the NFLPA from publicizing criticisms of teams and owners. The NFL won a ruling preventing the NFLPA from doing so.
Still, the 26-page ruling from arbitrator Scott E. Buchheit, a copy of which PFT has obtained, makes it clear that the next wave of report cards may be disseminated to all players.
The opinion also includes a full list of the criticisms about which the NFL complained from the 2025 report cards.
Here’s the full content of relevant portions of Buchheit’s written decision.
“As to the individual comments contained within the Report Cards that lead to the letter grades, the NFLMC has richly detailed that they do contain numerous criticisms. These include, but are not limited to, the following examples from the 2025 Report Card that are contained in its brief:
“New York Jets: The Union said Players complained that ‘management responded to feedback [from prior Team Report Cards] by making conditions worse,’ including cutting the food budget and not retaining a long-time dietician after poor food grades the prior year. The Union also graded owner Woody Johnson an F — the lowest owner rating in the league, 5.58 out of 10 — which, according to Players, resulted from his perceived unwillingness to invest in facilities. . . . Players cited ‘perceived top leadership issues, with some describing issues as “top-down problems”'—reflecting ownership concerns.
“Cincinnati Bengals: The Union again criticized treatment of families, stating that Players called it a ‘major concern’ and saying there is ‘little to no effort’ to support families. ‘One player describes the treatment of families as “‘almost disrespectful,”’ resulting in a grade of F-minus.
“Buffalo Bills: The Union dropped the Club in the overall rankings from prior years because ‘issues . . . previously raised [by Players] . . . have not been addressed and thus have become greater concerns[.]’ The Union claimed Players were concerned that ‘current [training] staffing is inadequate to help them recover,’ and ‘travel continues to be the worst part of their experience’ because they ‘do not have a comfortable amount of space when traveling and the travel schedule itself is a source of significant dissatisfaction.’
“Arizona Cardinals: The Union ranked the Club last overall based on Player feedback, criticizing the treatment of families (lack of family events, limits on pregame sideline access, poor in-game family accommodations), and a so-called deficient locker room, training facilities, and weight room. The Union stated that Players also faulted owner Michael Bidwill, saying he ‘slightly contributes to a positive team culture’ and is only ‘somewhat committed to building a competitive team[.]’
“Philadelphia Eagles: The Union highlighted that Players ‘are frustrated that mealtimes overlap with the organization’s business staff, leading to crowding and limited seats,’ and ‘feel they should get first class seats on team flights instead of the coaching staff.’
“Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Union published that Players criticized the locker room, lodging ‘several complaints about cleanliness, including poor ventilation and a persistent bad smell.’
“Jacksonville Jaguars: The Union gave the Club an F for treatment of families; ‘Players believe that many changes need to be made,’ including more access to sideline passes, a family room during the game, and upgrades to the post-game family area.
“Kansas City Chiefs: The Union said Players ‘continue to express the need for renovation and upgrades to the locker room’ and criticized the home game hotel as the ‘lowest in the league,’ remarking that it is ‘outdated,’ the beds are ‘uncomfortable,’ and the floors are ‘dirty and sticky.’
“Carolina Panthers: The Union continued to cite Player criticisms of owner David Tepper for using ‘turf instead of grass, perhaps because it is cheaper to maintain,’ and complained about travel due to the ‘new coaching staff moving players from first class last season and placing them in smaller, coach seats.’
“New England Patriots: The Union gave the Club a failing travel grade and singled out the ‘team plane’ —'Players specifically responded that “our plane is the worst thing – size, space, [and] safety,”’ and ‘it is not conducive to preparedness for athletic performance,’ because, among other things, ‘it lacks Wi-Fi and still has ashtrays in the seats.’ One player also referred to the carpeting in the locker room as ‘dingy with pieces missing.’
“Indianapolis Colts: The Union stated that Players complained of travel arrangements, noting that they ‘don’t feel like they have enough personal space on flights. They want more access to first-class seating.’
Those are the full complaints from the 2025 report cards that were included in Buchheit’s decision. Eleven teams in all were mentioned, with three owners identified by name — Woody Johnson, Michael Bidwill, and David Tepper.
The complaints listed in the 26-page ruling come from not from the to-be-released report cards but from the report cards prepared and published in 2025. It’s inevitable, however, that one of the many NFLPA members who’ll receive the 2026 report card will disclose them, to someone. Once they’re leaked (to PFT or to another outlet), we’ll post them here in full.
UPDATE 11:46 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this article mistakenly characterized the complaints listed above as coming from the survey conducted in 2025, not from the report cards released in 2025. The 2025 surveys were not included in Buccheit’s opinion. They’ll eventually be released to the players but not published by the NFLPA. In past years, the report cards were released during the Scouting Combine.
The Bengals have announced their complete coaching staff for the 2026 season.
It will include assistant wide receivers coach Davis Koetter. The Bengals announced the hiring Koetter, who is the son of former Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter, along with the complete staff on Friday. Koetter was the assistant quarterbacks coach at South Carolina last season.
Four members of head coach Zac Taylor’s staff will have new titles in 2026. Tight ends coach James Casey will also be the run game coordinator while Jordan Salkin moves to assistant quarterbacks coach. Assistant linebackers coach Ronnie Regula and assistant defensive line coach Mike Moon have been promoted from defensive assistant.
The rest of the staff includes director of player performance/head strength and conditioning coach Joey Boese, secondary/cornerbacks coach Charles Burks, senior defensive assistant Sean Desai, defensive coordinator Al Golden, running backs coach Justin Hill, linebackers coach Mike Hodges, pass game coordinator Justin Rascati, assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons, assistant strength and conditioning coach Diamond Simmons, assistant strength and conditioning coach Garrett Swanson, wide receivers coach Troy Walters, assistant special teams coach Ben Jacobs, quarterbacks coach Brad Kragthorpe, assistant offensive line coach Michael McCarthy, defensive line coach/run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery, offensive line coach Scott Peters, and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher.
Joe Flacco has been around the league for a long time.
The No. 18 overall pick of the 2008 draft, Flacco has experienced several changes when it comes to the league’s rules around player health and safety — particularly as it relates to protecting quarterbacks.
But according to the 41-year-old Flacco, not all the alterations have been positive for the game.
Speaking to ESPN’s Kevin Clark during Super Bowl week, Flacco noted that while he knows things aren’t going back, he still longs for the old days.
“I don’t think anybody coming into the league these days is quite as battle tested as guys that came into the league 15 years ago,” Flacco said. “I think you can kind of — if you’re a good high school recruit, you can kind of ride your way through college and they’re going to pick you because you have potential. I think there was less of that 15 years ago. I think our generation does benefit from dealing with a little bit of tougher times — just like the generation 20 years before me benefited over us. You know what I mean? And you’re right, I kind of came in as it was transitioning. So I still have that mindset. I don’t think it should be roughing the passer when they land on us. I don’t think being slapped in the head should be roughing the passer. It honestly annoys me because it affects games in a negative way at random times. They can call it or not call it. It needs to get out of the game. They need to go back to it.
“I know CTE is a thing these days and all that, but it’s football. We signed up to play it,” Flacco continued. “And I do think the guys in my generation kind of benefit a little bit from having that mindset — because the guys that are coming in nowadays, they look at me like I’m crazy. ‘What do you mean you want receivers to get laid out over the middle and you want guys to be able to land on you?’ I’m like, yeah, guys, that’s football. There’s certain things that shouldn’t be penalties. And I don’t think they see the side of it where, it really does — these 15-yard penalties in big situations that really shouldn’t be penalties in the game of football, they change these games. And as a fan, I just don’t like it. I want it to be up to us. And getting slapped in the face should not change the game. It really shouldn’t.”
Flacco also took up for defensive players whose job is now arguably harder than it’s ever been to stop offenses from moving the ball.
"[G]uys can’t even play defense as aggressively because they’re getting fined so much money for just normal hits,” Flacco said. “It’s changed the game a lot. And I don’t think we’re going back, so I’m just kind of ranting here. But, man, I don’t like it.
“Listen, we signed up to get concussions. We signed up to get hurt. It is what it is. You might not like that, but that’s what we kind of did when we decided to play this game.”
As Flacco noted, what’s done is done and the game is not going back. But his perspective as a longtime quarterback is informative on how things have changed for the latest generation of signal-callers.
Joe Flacco wrapped up his 18th season with his first trip to the Pro Bowl and the prospect of a 19th season came up during a Wednesday visit to PFT Live.
Flacco said that there are “lots of things that go into” a decision to sign with a team for the 2026 season. At the top of the list is whether or not he will have a chance to get on the field.
“At this point, I don’t want to just sign up with anybody, I don’t want to just play football or be on the sideline for the sake of being out there,” Flacco said.
Flacco opened the 2025 season as the starter in Cleveland and moved on to the Bengals in a trade after Joe Burrow injured his toe. Flacco said he enjoyed his time with the team, but Burrow’s presence would put be an obstacle to starting any more games.
“I like the idea of Cincinnati, but, at the same time, you are resigning to something there,” Flacco said. “There’s a world where I could see that happening, but I have to see what’s out there.”
The move to the Bengals means that Flacco has now played for three of the four AFC North teams. The Steelers have an unsettled quarterback position right now and Flacco called it a “pretty cool idea” to hit every team in the division while reiterating that he’ll have to evaluate every opportunity before making any decisions.
The Bears are looking for a new offensive coordinator, but it reportedly won’t be Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that Walters declined an interview request from Chicago for the opening on Ben Johnson’s staff. He will remain in Cincinnati to work with a group fronted by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Walters has been on the Bengals’ staff since 2020. The former Vikings, Colts, Cardinals and Lions wideout held several coaching jobs at the collegiate level before moving to the NFL.
The Bears have also requested an interview with Cardinals passing game specialist Connor Senger for the coordinator job. Declan Doyle had the post in 2025, but moved on to the same job with the Ravens.
The Bengals will have a pair of quarterbacks involved in this week’s Pro Bowl Games.
The team announced that Joe Burrow has been added to the AFC roster on Sunday. Joe Flacco was added to the roster last week and Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders makes it an all-Ohio quarterback group for the conference.
All three quarterbacks were replacements for original selections Josh Allen, Drake Maye, and Justin Herbert.
Burrow missed nine games after injuring his toe in the second week of the season and returned to start the final six games for Cincinnati. The Bengals went 3-3 in those games, but the season ended without a playoff trip for the third year in a row. A Pro Bowl selection probably isn’t much of a consolation prize, but it’s the one Burrow got this weekend.
Joe Flacco is a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career.
Flacco was added to the AFC’s roster for next week’s Pro Bowl Games on Friday. Flacco was never selected for the roster during his long run as a starter in Baltimore, but he’ll now be able to add that to a resume that includes a Super Bowl title and a comeback player of the year award.
Flacco joins his former Browns teammate Shedeur Sanders on the roster. Sanders was a replacement for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and the AFC needed another quarterback with Josh Allen of the Bills recovering from foot surgery.
Flacco opened the season as the starter in Cleveland, but was traded to the Bengals after being benched in favor of Dillon Gabriel. He started six games for Cincinnati before Joe Burrow returned from his injury and finished the year 251-of-416 for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across both stops.
Bengals running back Chase Brown has one year left on his rookie deal and he’d like to secure a longer run with the team before that contract comes to an end.
Brown told Ben Baby of ESPN that his representatives have opened up talks with the Bengals about a contract extension. Brown set career highs with 1,019 rushing yards and 437 receiving yards while scoring 11 touchdowns during the 2025 season.
“I would love to do something and be a part of this team,” Brown said. “I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
The Bengals signed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals before last season, but they took their time before getting deals done with both players. Brown noted that wound up costing the team more than it might have if they’d gotten pacts out of the way earlier and it remains to be seen if they’ll take a different course with their top back.
