When Does NFL Free Agency Start?
NFL free agency officially starts at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, when contracts for unrestricted free agents can be finalized. However, the unofficial start of free agency is at noon on Monday, March 11, which is the start of the “legal tampering period.”
How Does NFL Free Agency Work?
Once the clock hits 4 p.m. on March 13, unrestricted free agents are free to sign with any franchise for any contract terms agreed upon by the two sides. The rules are different for restricted free agents.
What Are Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents?
Unrestricted free agents are players who’ve completed at least four accrued seasons and whose contracts are set to expire at 4 p.m. on March 13 – the start of the new league year. They can sign with any team. Restricted free agents are players with no more than three accrued seasons and who received a qualifying offer from their team before their contract expires at the start of the league year.
RFAs have until April 19 to sign offer sheets from other clubs. Their original team has until April 24 to match an offer sheet or let the player go to their new team for draft compensation determined by the terms in the qualifying offer. If an RFA doesn’t receive an offer sheet from any club by April 19, they become an unrestricted free agent.
Who Are the Top NFL Free Agents in 2024?
This list is subject to change as pending free agents receive franchise tags ahead of the March 5 deadline. Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins already has received a franchise tag, thus removing him from the list of top pending free agents.
This is a group of top players currently set to hit free agency: DT Chris Jones, QB Kirk Cousins, EDGE Josh Allen, EDGE Brian Burns, DT Christian Wilkins, CB L’Jarius Sneed, S Antoine Winfield Jr., EDGE Danielle Hunter, WR Mike Evans, WR Calvin Ridley, DT Justin Madubuike, WR Michael Pittman, OL Mike Onwenu, RB Saquon Barkley, WR Calvin Ridley, S Kyle Dugger.
How Long Does NFL Free Agency Last?
Free agents can sign with teams throughout the offseason and into the new campaign. Some players, like DeAndrew Hopkins last year, wait until the start of training camp in late July to sign with a new team. But the majority of relevant signings take place during the first two weeks of free agency.
What Is the Legal Tampering Period?
From noon on March 11 until 4 p.m. on March 13, teams can negotiate directly with UFAs not represented by agents or with agents who represent UFAs. You likely will see a slew of reported agreements during this 52-hour window.