When Is NFL Free Agency 2021?

Get the latest information on when NFL free agency will start in 2021. Plus, find out which players will be free agents and see where they could land.

What is NFL Free Agency?

NFL free agency is when NFL teams can begin signing free agents to contracts. Free agents are players who are not under contract with any team. They can sign with any team that offers them a contract. The NFL free agency period begins on March 17th and ends on August 4th.

How Does NFL Free Agency Work?

In the NFL, a player’s contract expires at the end of the league year. At that point, the player becomes a free agent and is able to sign with any team. While most players wait until their contracts are up before testing the market, some elect to sign extension with their current teams.

There are three types of free agency: unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive rights. Unrestricted free agents are free to sign with any team starting at the beginning of the new league year. Restricted free agents can receive offer sheets from other teams, but their original team has the right to match any offer and keep the player. Exclusive rights free agents can only sign with their original team.

The vast majority of players in the NFL are signed to four-year contracts. However, players can be signed for anywhere from two to seven years. The length of a player’s contract is usually determined by how good they are and how much money they are asking for.

Signing bonuses are guaranteed money that is paid to a player at the time of signing a contract. For example, if a player signs a four-year, $20 million contract with a $5 million signing bonus, their salary cap hit for that year would only be $5 million (the $20 million would be spread out over the course of four years). Signing bonuses are often used as a way to make sure a player actually plays for their new team; if a player is cut before playing one game, they still receive their signing bonus in full.

Who are the Top NFL Free Agents in 2021?

There are many factors that go into building a winning team in the NFL. A key ingredient is adding talent via free agency. Here are 10 of the top names who will be available when free agency begins on March 17.

1. J.J. Watt, DE, Texans
2. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
3. Shaquil Barrett, OLB, Buccaneers
4. Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Ravens
5. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings
6. Cam Newton, QB, Patriots
7. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
8. Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers
9. Leonard Williams, DT, Giants
10. Alex Smith, QB, Redskins

How Much do NFL Free Agents Make?

Under the current NFL collective bargaining agreement (CBA), players become free agents after four accrued seasons. An accrued season is defined as six or more regular-season games on a team’s active/inactive, reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) or reserve/non-football injury or illness (NFI) list.

The average salary for an NFL player is $2.7 million, but free agents can command much more depending on their production and the needs of their new team. For example, wide receiver A.J. Green signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals worth up to $8 million in 2020 after seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Linebacker Von Miller signed a six-year extension with the Denver Broncos worth $114 million in 2015 after six seasons in the league.

The 2021 NFL free agent class is not as deep as it has been in recent years, but there are still some big names that will be available when the new league year begins on March 17th. Quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Cam Newton are both expected to hit the open market, as are wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.Y Hilton. Defensively, edge rusher Bud Dupree and defensive tackle Leonard Williams are among the most notable players that could be on the move.

What is the NFL Free Agency Schedule for 2021?

The official start date for NFL free agency is March 17, 2021. That is when teams can begin to sign free agents from other teams. The free agency period will end on April 23, 2021.

During the NFL free agency period, teams can sign free agents to contracts, make trades, and release players. Free agency can be a busy time for NFL teams as they look to improve their rosters for the upcoming season.

Here is a look at the important dates for NFL free agency in 2021:

March 17: Start of free agency period
March 25-28: League meetings
April 5: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 23: End of free agency period

How to Prepare for NFL Free Agency?

The 2021 NFL Free Agency period is just around the corner. Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for it.

1. Know the start date and time
The 2021 NFL Free Agency period officially begins on Wednesday, March 17 at 4 p.m. ET. That’s when teams can begin signing players to new contracts.

2. Understand the salary cap restraints
Each NFL team has a salary cap number that it cannot exceed. The salary cap for the 2021 NFL season has not been set yet, but it is expected to be around $182 million. Teams will need to be mindful of this number when signing free agents.

3. Familiarize yourself with the free agent class
There are several big-name free agents set to hit the market this offseason, including quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson, running back Alvin Kamara, wide receiver Jarvis Landry, and offensive lineman Taylor Lewan. Take some time to familiarize yourself with all of the potential free agents so you know who your team may be targeting.

4. Keep an eye on trades
Trades are always a possibility during NFL free agency. Be sure to stay up-to-date on all the latest rumors and reports so you know if your team is interested in any particular players.

5. Have realistic expectations
It’s important to have realistic expectations when it comes to your team’s chances of landing certain free agents. Remember that not every player will be available and that your team may not be able to sign everyone it wants. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

What Happens After NFL Free Agency?

Once NFL free agency has ended, teams will focus on the NFL Draft. The draft will be held from April 29-May 1 this year. After the draft, teams will begin to sign undrafted free agents.