When Does the 2022 NFL Free Agency Start?

The NFL free agency period for the 2022 offseason is set to begin on March 9. Here’s everything to know about the timeline for free agency this year.

Introduction

The NFL free agency for the 2022 season will start on March 9th. This date is subject to change, but it is currently set in stone. Free agency is when NFL players that have completed their contract are free to sign with any team of their choosing.

This can lead to some big changes in the NFL landscape, as teams that are struggling can suddenly become contenders with the addition of just a few key players. Conversely, teams that are Super Bowl contenders can quickly become also-rans if they lose too many key players in free agency.

That’s why it’s always a big story when the free agency period starts, as everyone wants to see who their team has signed and who they might have lost. Keep an eye on this page, as we will update it as soon as more information about the 2022 NFL free agency period is released.

Key Dates

The 2022 NFL League Year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 9. Clubs will receive a 72-hour exclusive negotiating window to contact and enter into contract negotiations with their own free agents, restricted free agents and unrestricted free agents.

Start of the League Year

The League Year will begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 17. At that time, clubs must exercise options for 2021 on all players who have option clauses in their 2020 contracts, submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their Unrestricted Free Agents.

Free Agency Negotiation Window

The free agency negotiation window is a period of time during the NFL offseason when agents of impending free agents are allowed to negotiate with representatives from other teams. The window opens on March 7th and extends until March 11th at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Franchise Tag Deadline

The deadline for NFL teams to use their franchise tag is March 9, meaning we should have a good idea of which players will be available when free agency begins on March 17. The franchise tag is a tool that allows teams to keep one of their impending free agents off the open market for one year by guaranteeing them a salary that is no less than the average of the five highest-paid players at their position, or 120 percent of their salary from the previous year, whichever is greater.

Training Camp

The first step in any NFL team’s journey to the Super Bowl is training camp. For most teams, training camp begins in late July or early August. Players report to camp and undergo physicals, then they start practicing together as a team. Training camps are an important time for NFL teams because it’s when they start to gel as a unit and develop on-field chemistry.

During training camp, NFL teams will also hold scrimmages and preseason games. These games are important because they give coaches a chance to see how their team looks in live action against another NFL team. The preseason is also important for players who are on the bubble of making the 53-man roster. These players need to perform well in order to secure a spot on the team.

The start of training camp also signals the start of the NFL season. This is when free agency begins and teams can start signing players to contracts. Free agency is an exciting time for NFL fans because it’s when their favorite team can add new players via trade or free agency.

Conclusion

With the coronavirus pandemic upending the 2020 NFL season, the league is considering pushing back the start of free agency to mid-March 2021, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday, citing league sources.

The NFL has not yet made a final decision on when free agency will begin, but it is leaning toward starting it later than usual, Schefter reported. The start of the new league year is currently scheduled for March 9.

If the NFL does push back the start of free agency, it would mark the second consecutive year that the league has shifted its calendar due to the pandemic. The start of the 2020 season was pushed back from September to October, and the 2021 season is currently scheduled to start on February 15.