NFL Free Agency, Legal Tampering, Franchise Tags: What Fans Need to Know

With the NFL Scouting Combine in the books, fans are eagerly anticipating the frenzy of free agency. But before teams start throwing out significant chunks of their salary caps, let's dive into what NFL free agency and the legal tampering period entail.

NFL Free Agency

NFL free agency is the period when players who are not under contract with any team can negotiate and sign contracts with any interested team of their choosing. This window allows teams to bolster their rosters with new talent and address weaknesses.

When Does NFL Free Agency Start?

This year, NFL free agency officially kicks off on Wednesday, March 13 at 1 p.m. PT. This date marks the start of the new league year, allowing teams to begin signing players to contracts, reshaping their rosters. It's also the time when trades can become official, even those in which the terms have already been agreed upon.

The Legal Tampering Period

Before free agency officially begins, the NFL has what's known as the legal tampering period. This period allows teams to negotiate with those representing the impending free agents before the official start of free agency. While teams cannot officially sign players during this time, they can lay the groundwork for deals that will come once free agency kicks off.

When Does the Legal Tampering Period Start?

This year, the legal tampering period commences on Monday, March 11 at 9 a.m. PT. During this two-day window, expect to hear reports of potential deals, rumored destinations for top free agents, and more as teams pursue the best available players whose contracts are about to expire.

Key Players to Watch

While it's unknown what positions the San Francisco 49ers plan to address in free agency, the free-agent pool is always filled with talent. Keep an eye on names like defensive tackle Chris Jones, quarterback Kirk Cousins, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, edge rusher Danielle Hunter, and others.

NFL.com recently ranked the top 101 free agents of 2024.

Franchise Tag Designations

Tuesday, March 5 was the deadline for NFL teams to issue franchise and transition player designations. The franchise tag is a mechanism used by NFL teams to retain key players whose contracts are set to expire. It allows teams to keep a player for at least one more season by offering them a one-year contract at a salary determined by the type of tag, which is broken down below.

Teams can only use one franchise tag per year, and the player must sign the tag before it becomes official. If the player refuses to sign the tag, they are not obligated to report to the team, and they will not receive the salary associated with the tag.

Exclusive Franchise Tag

• This tag prevents the player from negotiating with other teams. The player can only negotiate with their current team.
• The salary is determined by the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the current year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater.

This year, no player was designated as an exclusive franchise player.

Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag

• This tag allows the player to negotiate with other teams. However, if the player signs an offer sheet with another team, the original team has the right to match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
• The salary is determined by the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the previous five years, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater.

The following eight players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players.

Transition Tag

• The transition tag gives the team the right of first refusal to match any offer the player receives from another team.
• The salary is determined by the average of the top 10 salaries at the player's position for the current year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater.

This year, one player was designated as a transition player.