The start of the 2022 NFL free agency period unofficially begins this afternoon. What is “legal tampering” and when can players start signing with new teams?
The 2022 NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Eastern, however, at 12 noon. Eastern Time Today marks the unofficial start of the year. As people celebrate their "Birthday Week," the NFL no longer starts the league year -- and free agency -- just at scheduled times. Instead, we now have a three-day build-up to the start of free agency, a period that contradicts the colloquial name of the "legal loophole" period. During this period, teams can contact agents and discuss possible contract terms for a player who will become a free agent at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Teams are being allowed two and a half days to discuss signing a player under contract with a different team. Thus "legal tampering."
Contracts cannot be executed and, technically, a deal cannot be finalized before the start of free agency on Wednesday. However, over the next few days, we will have a pretty good idea of where many big-name players will play in 2022.
Here's everything you need to know about legal tampering term:
Legal tampering period begins and ends
This period will last from noon to 4 pm until the official launch of the free agent. E.T. on Wednesday
What is the period of legal tampering?
Officially described by the NFL as the period when "clubs are permitted to contact certified agents of players and enter into contract negotiations, unrestricted upon the expiration of their 2021 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. Free agents will become, New York time, March 16 the legal loophole period — not an official name and you'll also hear it referred to as "negotiation window" and "negotiation period" — just a time when teams and agents Let's start talking about the contract.
Which free agents?
Players who become unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. Eastern are allowed their agents to talk to teams on Wednesdays. The unrestricted part is important, as restricted free agents can't begin negotiating an offer sheet until March 16.
Rules
There are rules for the duration of legal tampering. Players cannot meet or talk to teams. Period. No phone calls are being made by the teams to the players. Only team representatives and agents are allowed to speak. And the point is all that is allowed to happen. Numbers can be swung back and forth and a verbal agreement can be made informally, but nothing official can be agreed upon, announced or signed until 4 p.m. Eastern March 16.
Think back to 2015 when the Miami Dolphins signed Ndamukong Suh and how there was speculation that the team had done something wrong. A deal may be outlined in place, but exclusives and contracts cannot be completed until free agency is initiated. You'll hear reports of agreements, but those deals are usually pulled over a few hours or days to make sure there aren't any improprieties.
Last year, the league allowed players who represent themselves to be an exception to the no direct contact rule, which allows them to take phone calls from teams.
Lastly, travel arrangements cannot be made for visits during this period. Therefore, an agent and a team cannot purchase tickets; as soon as free agency begins, a player can tour the team's facilities. Now, if a player travels to that city and it's on a Wednesday, it's just a coincidence, isn't it?
Re-sign
Teams are still allowed to re-sign their own soon-to-be-free agents during this period. Some teams use this period as an opportunity to gauge the market and demand a player, then re-sign him to a sensible contract, rather than overpaying for the player or owning them. Bidding against. This is risky as there may be more demand or the player may see it as an insult that the team did not re-sign him in the beginning, but it is a possibility.
Trades
Teams can also trade during this period, and some prepare during the legal loophole period, but they won't be official until 4 p.m. Eastern March 16.
Dolphins free agents
Unrestricted free agents
- Vince Biegel, Linebacker
- Malcolm Brown, Running back
- Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback
- Justin Coleman, Cornerback
- Isaiah Ford, Wide receiver
- Will Fuller, Wide receiver
- Mike Gesicki, Tight end - Franchise tagged
- Mack Hollins, Wide receiver
- John Jenkins, Defensive tackle
- Duke Johnson, Running back
- Phillip Lindsay, Running back
- Greg Mancz, Center
- Jason McCourty, Safety
- Emmanuel Ogbah, Defensive end
- Michael Palardy, Punter
- Duke Riley, Linebacker
- Elandon Roberts, Linebacker
- Brennan Scarlett, Linebacker
- Durham Smythe, Tight end
- Albert Wilson, Wide receiver
Restricted Free Agents
(If not tendered by Wednesday, they will become unrestricted free agents)
- Sam Eguavoen, Linebacker (RFA)
- Patrick Laird, Running back (RFA)
- Nik Needham, Cornerback (RFA) - 2nd Round Tender
- Jamal Perry, Cornerback (RFA)
- Sheldrick Redwine, Safety (RFA) - Not-Tendered
- Preston Williams, Wide receiver (RFA)
Exclusive rights free agents
- Salvon Ahmed, Running back (ERFA) - Tender
- Elijah Campbell, Cornerback (ERFA) - Tender