In the NFL, free agency doesn’t officially start until Wednesday, but the first big deals are expected to be published as early as Monday. Why this is the case and who the most sought-after players are.
The Offseason The NFL is entering its hot phase. Traditionally, teams there are only allowed to play two days before the official start Free agency-Period to negotiate with players who were under contract with another team last season and are now or will be out of contract*.
“Tampering” – negotiations banned until Monday
“Tampering“, i.e. “manipulation” or “influence” is what the process is called when a franchise have already tried to convince such a player to continue his career in their service. Severe penalties can result if teams get caught – the Miami Dolphins Because of this, they even lost their first round pick Draft 2023.
The so-called “legal tampering” period begins on Monday evening (March 11, 2024) German time, during which negotiations are officially permitted. The new season starts on Wednesday evening (March 13th, 2024), and so does the free agency, and contracts can also be concluded and signed.
“Don’t get caught” – the first deals can be expected as early as Monday evening
Curiously, this time too the first deals will be made just a few minutes after the start of the event “Legal tampering” be announced by well-informed NFL insiders such as journalists Ian Rapoport or Tom Pelissero via various social media platforms.
The fact that teams contact their preferred players in advance and behind closed doors in order to be right at the top is an open secret – you just can’t get caught. Most teams will probably only officially confirm agreements with the players once a more “realistic” negotiation period has passed – for the rest there are the insiders who get the information from the players’ agents or the teams themselves.
The teams with which the players were already under contract last season are allowed to extend their contracts beforehand and thus prevent the players from coming onto the market. This is what happened, for example, between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Wide receiver Mike Evans or that Kansas City Chiefs and Defense star Chris Jones.
Free agency has a big impact on teams’ draft strategy
Over 600 players are free agents at the start of the period – many opportunities and options for the 32 teams to strengthen and restructure their squads. Unlike in the NBA, the draft in which you can secure the best college talent is only after the NFL Free agency. This means: If, for example, you don’t get a new quarterback through free agency, even though you urgently need one, you have to Draft try to find one, which can be very difficult and/or expensive for the teams.
Conversely, the teams that are early in this year’s draft and need a quarterback are in the comfortable situation of Free agency not having to offer much money to any of the available quarterbacks, especially in this one Draft there are some promising talents like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. An example is these Washington Commanderthe one quarterback need and be allowed to pick second in the draft – and probably will.
Cousins, Brissett or Tannehill – these are the best quarterbacks in free agency
Possibly the most sought after Free agent This period is then directly a quarterback. Kirk Cousins was last with the Minnesota Vikings consistently one of the better players in the league in this position over several seasons. But Cousins also paid dearly for this; hardly any NFL professional has earned more money in his career.
It is out of the question that he will suddenly be available cheaply at the age of 35, when he may only get one more big contract in his career – even though Cousins tore his Achilles tendon last season.
Teams like that Atlanta Falcons or the Las Vegas Raiders are in Draft not in the top five and could be interested in Cousins - but the Vikings themselves are also considered candidates to offer the veteran a new, well-paid contract. When it comes to quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill (formerly Tennessee Titans), Jacoby Brissett (most recently Washington) or Sam Darnold (San Francisco 49ers) to have. Russell Wilson was hired by the Denver Broncos released early, therefore does not fall into the category of free agents in terms of contract and joins the category Pittsburgh Steelers at.
Henry, Barkley, Ridley, Wilkins, Huff – many exciting players in the NFL are free agents
There are many prominent names, especially among running backs: Saquon Barkley (most recently New York Giants), Derrick Henry (Tennessee) or Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas) have all been among the best players in their position in recent years and are likely to find a new club. The wide receivers include Calvin Ridley (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Marquise Brown (Arizona Cardinals) are probably the most attractive alternatives in terms of sport. But the biggest name available here is Odell Beckham Jr. (most recently Baltimore Ravens), who was with the two years ago Los Angeles Rams the Super Bowl won.
There are defensive line players on defense Christian Wilkins (Miami Dolphins), defensive end Danielle Hunter (Minnesota), cornerback Stephone Gilmore (Dallas Cowboys) or Pass rush-Specialist Bryce Huff (New York Jets) some of the many exciting names available.
*There are special rules, such as for the few “restricted free agents” who can negotiate with new teams, but where the old team can match any offer and then has “first right” to the player