When Does NFL Legal Tampering Start?

It’s that time of year again! The NFL legal tampering period starts on March 16th, and we’re here to give you all the details.

Introduction

Each year in early March, the start of NFL free agency is preceded by a three-day negotiating window known as legal tampering. During this time, agents representing upcoming free agents are allowed to negotiate with all teams in the league, including their own. The tampering period gives both sides a chance to gauge interest and get a feel for what kind of contract the player can expect to sign once free agency officially begins.

While official offers cannot be made during this period, it’s not unusual for agreements to be reached in principle. Once the tampering window closes, any team that has agreed to terms with a player is able to sign him to a contract when free agency begins on the first Wednesday of the new league year.

The legal tampering period was implemented in 2012 as part of the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players. Prior to that, there was no formal negotiating period and teams were not allowed to contact agents representing potential free agents until the start of free agency.

What is NFL legal tampering?

In the National Football League (NFL), legal tampering is a period of time during the offseason when agents representing pending free agents are allowed to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the managers of other teams. This period typically lasts for three days, beginning on the first day of the new league year and ending at midnight on the third day.

During this time, teams are also allowed to negotiate with their own pending free agents. However, they cannot enter into contracts with these players until the start of the new league year.

The NFL’s legal tampering period was implemented in 2012 as part of the league’s most recent collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Prior to this, teams were not allowed to contact or negotiate with pending free agents from other teams at any point during the offseason.

When does NFL legal tampering start?

March 17, the day before the new league year begins. That’s when agents can begin negotiating with teams on behalf of their clients, and when teams can begin negotiating with each other on trades.

What can be done during NFL legal tampering?

Significant contract negotiations can take place during the NFL’s legal tampering period, which runs from March 16-18 this year. During this time, agents for impending free agents are allowed to contact and negotiate with any team in the league, except their current team.

All teams are still bound by the rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which state that no contracts can be signed until 4 p.m. ET on March 18. However, the legal tampering period allows for a more open negotiation process and can lead to agreements being reached before free agency officially begins.

Some of the biggest free agent signings in recent years have been negotiated during the legal tampering period, including wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ deal with the Cardinals last year and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence’s contract with the Cowboys in 2019.

How does NFL legal tampering affect contracts?

In the NFL, free agency begins on the first day of the new league year. Prior to that, teams are not allowed to enter into contract negotiations with players who are set to become free agents. However, there is a period of legal tampering that takes place between the end of the previous season and the start of free agency.

During this time, teams are allowed to contact agents of impending free agents to gauge their interest in signing with that team. No formal offers can be made during this period, but it allows teams and players to get a feel for what each side is looking for in a contract.

legal tampering period typically starts a few days before the start of free agency and runs through the first day of free agency. This year, it will begin on Monday, March 15 and run through Wednesday, March 17.

What are the benefits of NFL legal tampering?

The legal tampering period in the NFL allows for contract negotiations between pending free agents and teams other than the one they played for the previous season.

During this time, agents are able to gauge interest from other teams and start to put together a picture of what their client’s market value may be. This gives both the player and their agent a better idea of what kind of contract to expect once free agency begins.

The legal tampering period can also be used as a way for teams to get a jump on their competition by agreeing to terms with players before they hit the open market. This can be beneficial for both the team and the player, as it can help ensure that a player gets the contract they are looking for while also allowing the team to avoid getting into a bidding war with other teams.

What are the drawbacks of NFL legal tampering?

While legal tampering allows for a more efficient signing process once free agency begins, it also has its drawbacks. One of the biggest is that it can create a false market for a player. A team may reach out to an agent and express interest in signing a player, but if that player ultimately signs with another team, the Houston Texans, for example, can end up overpaying for a player they thought they had a good chance at signing.

Conclusion

Now that you know when NFL legal tampering starts, you can start paying attention to all the rumors and news leading up to free agency. Remember, it’s always fun to speculate, but don’t get too invested in any one player or team. After all, anything can happen between now and the start of the new league year!