RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 2/27/26
As we get closer and closer to the start of the new league year, we are starting to see NFL teams make tender decisions on restricted and exclusive rights free agents:
RFAs
Nontendered:
- Packers: S Zayne Anderson, RB Emanuel Wilson
A fifth-year veteran special teams ace, Anderson just finished his third season in Green Bay. Our friends at OvertheCap.com project the right of first refusal tenders for restricted free agents in 2026 at $3.52MM, which is more than double what Anderson made on the veteran minimum last year. The Packers’ decision not to tender him does not rule out his return for a fourth year with the team, but in order to make that happen, Anderson will have to go the route of an unrestricted free agent.
Wilson will also need to go the unrestricted free agent route. Going undrafted out of Fort Valley State three years ago, Wilson has been a strong RB2 behind Josh Jacobs in Green Bay. Over the past two years, Wilson has totaled 998 rushing yards with seven rushing touchdowns.
2027 Fifth-Year Option Numbers Revealed
With the salary cap coming in today at $301.2MM, we have clarity on what it will cost teams to apply franchise and transition tags. The salary ceiling being set also illuminates the four fifth-year option tiers for 2023 first-rounders.
This will be the sixth offseason for the tiered fifth-year option format. The NFL’s 2020 CBA changed the option structure for first-round picks, fully guaranteeing the options but doing so based on performance and usage rate. The 2011 CBA gave teams flexibility by making the options guaranteed for injury only, allowing franchises to cut players free of charge as long as they passed March physicals. The 2018 first-round class was the first to gain access to fully guaranteed options.
Players who have been original invitees to two or more Pro Bowls (original ballot only) reside on the top tier, which matches the 2026 franchise tag numbers. Here is how those numbers will look (courtesy of NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero):
- Quarterback: $43.9MM
- Running back: $14.29MM
- Wide receiver: $27.3MM
- Tight end: $15.05MM
- Offensive line: $25.77MM
- Defensive end: $24.43MM
- Defensive tackle: $27.13MM
- Linebacker: $26.87MM
- Cornerback: $21.16MM
- Safety: $20.15MM
- Kicker/punter: $6.65MM
Tier 2 on the option structure covers players who have been selected to one Pro Bowl as non-alternates. This tier matches the 2026 transition tag values.
- Quarterback: $37.83MM
- Running back: $11.32MM
- Wide receiver: $23.85MM
- Tight end: $12.69MM
- Offensive line: $23.39MM
- Defensive end: $21.51MM
- Defensive tackle: $22.52MM
- Linebacker: $21.93MM
- Cornerback: $18.12MM
- Safety: $16.01MM
- Kicker/punter: $6.01MM
Participation impacts the final two tiers. Players who achieve any of the following will get the average of the third-20th highest salaries at their position. Tier 3 consists of players who played at least 75% in two of their first three seasons, those who averaged at least a 75% snap share through three seasons or those who crossed the 50% snap barrier in each of their initial three slates.
- Quarterback: $25.9MM
- Running back: $7.42MM
- Wide receiver: $16.47MM
- Tight end: $8.16MM
- Offensive line: $19.07MM
- Defensive end: $15.94MM
- Defensive tackle: $15.45MM
- Linebacker: $15.12MM
- Cornerback: $13.67MM
- Safety: $10.8MM
- Kicker/punter: $4.84MM
The fourth and final tier consists of players who failed to reach those participation rates:
- Quarterback: $22.48MM
- Running back: $6.7MM
- Wide receiver: $16.47MM
- Tight end: $8.16MM
- Offensive line: $18MM
- Defensive end: $14.48MM
- Defensive tackle: $13.93MM
- Linebacker: $13.75MM
- Cornerback: $12.63MM
- Safety: $9.74MM
- Kicker/punter: $4.5MM
2026 NFL Franchise/Transition Tags
The NFL’s 2026 salary cap will be $301.2MM, a figure will have a significant impact on a number of other contract situations around the NFL.
Chief among them are the franchise and transition tags. Teams can use one of the two tags on one player per year, which ties them to a one-year contract at the top of their positional market. The value of the franchise tag is determined by the top five salaries at each position, while the transition tag is based on the top 10, but the calculation of the final figures factors in the salary cap.
Teams have internal projections for the next round of tag numbers and most have already made their decisions on players who could be tagged. However, any figures that differ significantly from those predictions could make them reconsider.
Here are 2025 non-exclusive franchise tag figures, courtesy of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:
- Quarterback: $43.895MM
- Running back: $14.293MM
- Wide receiver: $28.298MM
- Tight end: $15.045MM
- Offensive line: $25.773MM
- Defensive end: $24.434MM
- Defensive tackle: $27.127MM
- Linebacker: $26.865MM
- Cornerback: $21.161MM
- Safety: $20.149MM
- Kicker/punter: $6.649MM
The exclusive tag is often seen as prohibitively expensive, since the team must account for the entire amount on their salary cap that year. Instead, ‘franchise tag’ typically refers to the non-exclusive tag, which allows tagged players to negotiate with other teams. If they agree to an offer sheet, the original team gets a chance to match. If they decline, the player signs with a new team, who must send the original team two first-round picks.
That required compensation often makes negotiating with non-exclusive franchise-tagged players a non-starter. Instead, players on the non-exclusive tag often sign extensions with their original teams with the tag number serving as a key point of reference on a long-term AAV.
Here are the numbers for this year’s transition tag:
- Quarterback: $37.833MM
- Running back: $11.323MM
- Wide receiver: $23.852MM
- Tight end: $12.687MM
- Offensive line: $23.392MM
- Defensive end: $21.512MM
- Defensive tackle: $22.521MM
- Linebacker: $21.925MM
- Cornerback: $18.119MM
- Safety: $16.012MM
- Kicker/punter: $6.005MM
The Cowboys have already placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, as have the Falcons on tight end Kyle Pitts. Other candidates for a tag – either franchise or transition – include Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, Jets running back Breece Hall, and Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce.
One player who is unlikely to be tagged is Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, as all offensive linemen are grouped together when calculating tag figures. That makes the OL tag representative of the offensive tackle market, which is much too expensive for a center. The NFL uses the same designations to calculate fifth-year options, which is why the Ravens did not pick up Linderbaum’s last offseason. The same issue pops up for inside linebackers, who are grouped together with outside linebackers who typically earn far more money for their pass-rushing abilities.
Pro Football Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat: 2/27/26
Pro Football Rumors' Sam Robinson will be holding a live chat at 4pm Central today, exclusively for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers!
Packers Hire Cam Achord As Special Teams Coordinator
The Packers have hired Cam Achord as their new special teams coordinator, per a team announcement. He will replace Rich Bisaccia after his unexpected exit last week.
Achord, 39, spent the last two seasons as the Giants’ assistant special teams coach under Michael Ghobrial. Before that, he worked under Bill Belichick in New England, first as an assistant special teams coach (2018-2019) and then as the Patriots’ special teams coordinator (2020-2023). Achord won Super Bowl LIII in his first year in New England, but the team made the playoffs only twice more in his tenure.
Achord began his coaching career at Southern Miss in 2010, working as a graduate assistant on special teams for two years before switching to offense in 2012. He then joined Southwest Missisippi Community College, where he held several different roles between 2013-2016, including time as a coordinator on offense and special teams.
The Giants were set to retain Achord under new head coach John Harbaugh and special teams coordinator Chris Horton. Instead, he will head to Green Bay to replace Bisaccia, whose resignation surprised the Packers. They also interviewed Tom McMahon, Kyle Wilbur, and Sam Sewell, but Achord’s success in New York and New England helped him win the job.
The Patriots typically fielded strong special teams units during Achord’s tenure. From 2018 to 2021, their team special teams grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) never ranked lower than 11th with three top-six finishes. However, their performance dipped sharply in 2022 and 2023.
The Giants did not receive spectacular special teams PFF grades under Achord, but they still made improvements year-over-year. They ranked 25th in 2023 and improved to 24th in Achord’s debut season and 17th in his second. New York also finished the 2025 season among the top 10 teams in yards per kickoff return and average starting field position.
The Packers had relatively poor special teams grades under Bisaccia. They also ranked dead-last in yards per punt return, 23rd in yards per kickoff return, and 30th in average starting field position. They were far more successful on punts and kickoffs, leading the league in yards per punt and ranking second in average kickoff yardage.
Achord will be looking to improve Green Bay’s return units while maintaining the strength of their punt and kickoff teams. Continuity with kicker Brandon McManus and punter Daniel Whelan, who are both under contract through the 2027 season, will aid in that effort. Achord may have to find a new punt returner, as Romeo Doubs is set to hit free agency. Kickoff returners Emanuel Wilson, Bo Melton, and Savion Williams are all expected to return.
Broncos Decline RFA Tender For Jaleel McLaughlin
After spending the first three seasons of his NFL career in Denver, running back Jaleel McLaughlin is heading for the open market. The Broncos will not tender the restricted free agent a contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
While the Broncos and McLaughlin are at least temporarily splitting up, he could still re-sign on a cheaper deal. That is a legitimate possibility, according to 9News’ Mike Klis, who points out McLaughlin would have gotten a noticeable raise on his RFA tender. McLaughlin made a $1.03MM base salary in 2025, in which he played just eight games. Tendering him would have cost the Broncos $3.55MM.
Dividing his college career between Division II Notre Dame (Ohio) and FCS Youngstown State, McLaughlin rushed for an NCAA-record 8,155 yards. Nevertheless, nobody drafted the 5-foot-8, 187-pound McLaughin in 2023. He went on to earn a roster spot with the Broncos and average an impressive 5.4 yards per carry on 76 attempts as a rookie. McLaughlin also chipped in 31 catches and three total touchdowns over a 17-game campaign.
With then-Broncos starter Javonte Williams struggling for the second straight season in 2024, McLaughlin took on more work as a runner. He finished the year with career highs in carries (113) and yards (496). McLaughlin’s catch total fell to 24, but he scored three TDs for the second straight year.
Williams left for the Cowboys in free agency last year, and the Broncos replaced him with J.K. Dobbins a few months later. The team had already made a bigger investment in RJ Harvey, whom it drafted 60th overall last April. Although Dobbins missed seven games, he and Harvey still split 299 carries. Those additions led to less action for McLaughin, regularly a healthy scratch before Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury in November. While McLaughlin averaged 5.1 yards a carry in 2025, he accrued just 41 touches (37 rushes, four catches) in eight games.
Broncos Place Second-Round RFA Tender On Ja’Quan McMillian
Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian is heading for restricted free agency after putting together his third straight two-interception season in 2025. The Broncos applied the second-round tender to McMillian on Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. The 25-year-old is now in line to earn around $5.81MM in 2026.
It is unlikely a team would trade a second-rounder for McMillian, who is only a year away from unrestricted free agency. As such, Denver’s decision to issue McMillian a high-level tender should secure his place in its defense for at least another season. As the Broncos’ top slot corner, McMillian holds down a key spot alongside outside starters Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss.
McMillian’s agent told the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson he does not expect the slot corner to receive an offer sheet. While that is to be expected, hence the tender, he mentioned the $16-$18MM-per-year range as reasonable for his client. That would smash the slot CB record — currently held by the Bears’ Kyler Gordon (at $13.33MM AAV). That will be a tough ask for a Broncos team already rostering Surtain at $24MM per year and having six front-seven players signed to veteran contracts.
McMillian’s stock has risen significantly since he joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The former East Carolina Pirate played just one game as a rookie, but he has been on the field for 50 of 51 since then. McMillian has taken on a prominent role since 2023, having finished top three among Broncos cornerbacks in snap share for three years in a row.
As part of an elite defense last season, McMillian played 742 snaps (66.01%). Along with his two INTs, he notched 56 tackles, nine passes defensed, five TFL and a career-high four sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked his performance a superb fourth among 112 qualifying corners.
While McMillian excelled in the regular season, his most memorable play occurred in a divisional-round win over the Bills. With the teams in an overtime battle, McMillian wrestled away what would have been a 43-yard catch for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and turned it into a pick. Had Cooks come down with it, the Bills would have gone on to attempt a game-winning field goal during the ensuing moments. Instead, with McMillian’s help, the Broncos took possession and marched to a 33-30 victory.
NFL Sets 2026 Salary Cap At $301.2MM
FEBRUARY 27: The 2026 cap is officially $301.2MM, the league informed its teams on Friday.
JANUARY 30: The NFL has not officially set its 2026 salary cap yet, but it will exceed the $300MM mark for the first time. The league informed its teams that it’s projecting the number to fall between $301.2MM and $305.7MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Surpassing $300MM would represent yet another sizable one-year jump for the league, which set its 2025 cap at $279.2MM. It was only four years ago that the cap checked in north of $200MM for the first time. With the exception of 2021, the first post-COVID campaign, the number has gone up by at least $10MM in each season since 2013. Here’s a year-by-year look (via Pelissero):
- 2013: $123M
- 2014: $133M
- 2015: $143.28M
- 2016: $155.27M
- 2017: $167M
- 2018: $177.2M
- 2019: $188.2M
- 2020: $198.2M
- 2021: $182.5M
- 2022: $208.2M
- 2023: $224.8M
- 2024: $255.4M
- 2025: $279.2M
The pandemic, which led to stadiums with either no fans or limited attendance, caused the cap to fall 8% from 2020-21. A half-decade later, it’s clear the league’s financial situation is in a much better place. The additions of a 17th regular-season game and two extra playoff teams have contributed to the cap surge. Expensive media rights deals and and more gambling partnerships have also played significant roles.
The cap increasing by $20MM-plus before free agency opens in March will be a welcome boost for teams, especially those in dire need of spending room, and players alike. George Pickens, Daniel Jones, Trey Hendrickson, Tyler Linderbaum, Odafe Oweh, Alec Pierce and Breece Hall are among the headliners who could hit the open market.
We’re also sure to see more lucrative contract extensions in 2026. Josh Allen, Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, Ja’Marr Chase and Brock Purdy are among the players who signed massive extensions in 2025.
Panthers Grant DT A’Shawn Robinson Permission To Seek Trade; Team Open To Moving QB Andy Dalton
A’Shawn Robinson has been a full-time starter with the Panthers since arriving in free agency two years ago. The veteran defensive tackle’s Carolina tenure is likely nearing an end, however. 
Robinson has been granted permission to seek a trade, Joe Person of The Athletic reports (subscription required). In cases such as this, teams often attempt to gauge the trade market of a player they are likely to release in the absence of any offers. Person recently pointed to Robinson as a strong cut candidate, making today’s news unsurprising.
One year remains on Robinson’s contract, a three-year, $22.5MM pact he signed on the open market in 2024. The former Lion, Giant and Ram is currently scheduled to carry a cap hit of $12.56MM in 2026. However, a release in this case would yield $10.5MM in savings while only creating a dead money charge of $2.06MM. That could very well lead to a Robinson departure through a cost-shedding move soon, unless a trade partner can be found. Soon to turn 31, Robinson has totaled 145 tackles and eight sacks in 33 Panthers games.
Another Carolina veteran who could be on the move shortly is Andy Dalton. The longtime quarterback is drawing trade interest, and the final year of his contract contains a base salary of just $3.9MM. That figure could be attractive for any number of teams seeking out affordable depth under center, and Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has spoken about a willingness to find a new Bryce Young backup this offseason.
“There’s a potential that somebody may want him,” Morgan acknowledged during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (video link). “Andy’s a really good player, and he’s a great guy, great culture fit for us. I haven’t talked to any teams about a trade, but I think if the possibility did come up then I would talk to Andy, give him that option and let him explore a trade. I do think we want to get a little younger and a little more athletic at that backup quarterback spot.”
Dalton is 38, so the list of replacement candidates which are younger is rather long. The former Pro Bowler has made a total of seven starts across his three Carolina seasons, but Young has shown enough to enter 2026 as the team’s clear-cut starer. Even though a long-term extension is not likely to be worked out this offseason, Young could be in line for a substantial raise relatively soon.
Finding a long-term backup option as early as this spring would make sense for Carolina as a result. Just like Robinson, that could lead to Dalton finding himself on the move in time for the start of the new league year.
Bills To Re-Sign S Sam Franklin
Sam Franklin will not test the open market next month. The pending free agent safety has worked out a new contract to remain in place with the Bills. 
Buffalo has agreed to a three-year deal with Franklin, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. This pact contains $5MM which will be paid out over the first two seasons. With a maximum value of $7.5MM, Franklin’s new contract represents not only a lengthy commitment but also a notable raise compared to his previous one (which was worth the league minimum).
The special teams ace has played on one-year deals dating back to 2023. Franklin’s first five seasons were spent with the Panthers, but he joined the Broncos last year. After being among Denver’s final roster cuts, the 30-year-old immediately caught on with the Bills. Franklin signed to the active roster ahead of Week 1 and remained there all year.
After logging only six defensive snaps in 2025, Franklin will of course be expected to continue as a third phase specialist with Buffalo. The former UDFA handled a 76% snap share on special teams last season, a workload similar to that of his Carolina campaigns. Franklin has only managed nine defensive starts in his career, but despite a lack of experience on that front he has secured a significant compensation package from the Bills.
The safety position could see considerable turnover in Buffalo this spring, as Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin and Darnell Savage are all pending free agents. Starters Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp remain under contract for next year, though, so depth will be sought out on the open market. As outside additions are explored by the team, Franklin has received an early assurance that he will remain in the fold for 2026 and beyond.