What's happened
The Jets placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on running back Breece Hall, worth about $14.3 million, giving them until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal. The Cowboys used the franchise tag on receiver George Pickens, valued at roughly $28 million, to retain him while exploring a longer contract. Both teams aim to keep key players amid ongoing negotiations.
What's behind the headline?
The use of franchise tags by the Jets and Cowboys highlights a strategic approach to roster management amid ongoing contract negotiations. The Jets aim to keep Hall, who had a career-high 1,065 rushing yards last season, while the Cowboys seek to secure Pickens, who posted career-best stats in receptions and yards. The tags provide a temporary solution, allowing teams to retain key players without immediate long-term commitments. This move reflects a broader trend in the NFL to balance salary cap constraints with the desire to maintain competitive rosters. The decision to use the non-exclusive tag on Pickens indicates the Cowboys' willingness to negotiate but also their readiness to let him explore other options if necessary. For the Jets, the franchise tag on Hall offers a chance to keep their leading rusher while working toward a deal that could potentially match or exceed the franchise tag value, which is estimated at around $14.5 million. The outcome of these negotiations will significantly impact team strategies and salary cap planning for the upcoming season, especially as both teams are also focused on other roster needs and salary allocations.
What the papers say
The AP News reports that the Jets placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Breece Hall, giving them until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal, with the tag valued at about $14.3 million. The NY Post confirms the Jets' intention to keep Hall, emphasizing his career-high rushing yards and importance to the team. Meanwhile, the AP News details the Cowboys' decision to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on George Pickens, estimated at roughly $28 million, following his standout season with career highs in receptions and yards. The NY Post adds context, noting Dallas's interest in retaining Pickens while exploring a longer-term contract, and highlights the team's broader salary cap considerations. Both articles underscore the strategic use of franchise tags as a temporary measure to retain key players while negotiations continue, reflecting broader NFL roster management trends.
How we got here
The NFL teams often use franchise tags to retain players when a long-term contract cannot be agreed upon before the deadline. The Jets and Cowboys are both leveraging this strategy to maintain key offensive players—Hall and Pickens—while negotiating future deals. The tags also serve as a safeguard against losing these players to other teams, with the Jets opting for the more restrictive franchise tag on Hall and the Cowboys choosing the non-exclusive tag for Pickens.
Go deeper
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Breece Hall is an American football running back for the Iowa State Cyclones. Hall led the nation in rushing yards during the 2020 FBS season and was a unanimous All-American selection.
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George M. Pickens is an American football wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs. Pickens is from Hoover, Alabama. Pickens committed to University of Georgia on February 2, 2019.
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The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League as a member club of the league's American Football Conference East division.
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The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League as a member club of the league's National Football Conference East division.