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Colts Use Rare Transition Tag on Daniel Jones as Three Others Receive Franchise Tags

The rare designation gives Indianapolis matching rights during a fast-approaching free-agent market.

Overview

  • Indianapolis applied the quarterback transition tag to Daniel Jones at $37.83 million, allowing him to negotiate elsewhere with the Colts retaining the right to match any offer.
  • Dallas tagged wide receiver George Pickens (~$27.3 million), Atlanta tagged tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (~$16.3 million), and the Jets tagged running back Breece Hall (~$14.29 million).
  • Unlike the franchise tag, the transition tag provides no draft-pick compensation if a team declines to match; franchise-tagged players would cost an acquiring team two first-round picks if an offer sheet isn’t matched.
  • Jones is the first quarterback to receive a transition tag since 1996, and Spotrac notes only about 15 players have received that tag historically; he is rehabbing a Week 14 torn right Achilles with his return timetable uncertain.
  • Arizona informed Kyler Murray he will be released before the new league year begins on March 11, with $36.8 million owed in 2026 subject to offset language; the negotiation window opens March 9 and tagged players can sign long-term deals through July 15.