Navigating the NFL’s Legal Tampering Window: What You Need to Know Before Free Agency

The NFL’s legal tampering window is set to open on Monday at noon ET, marking the unofficial start of free agency on Wednesday, March 13. This two-day period allows unrestricted free agents to get a better sense of their market value and potential landing spots.

During the tampering window, teams are permitted to negotiate directly with players’ representatives to discuss contract terms and potential deals. However, it’s important to note that any agreements made during this period are not official until they are signed. This means that players can still back out of deals, although it’s not a common occurrence.

To prevent backdoor deals and create a level playing field, the NFL introduced the legal tampering period in 2012. This allows players’ agents to engage in negotiations with interested teams before the official start of free agency.

While players cannot visit other teams’ facilities or speak directly with front offices during the tampering window, they can still explore their options and potentially secure new deals. The official start of NFL free agency is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.

As the excitement builds for free agency, fans can look forward to potential moves by top players such as Saquon Barkley, Kirk Cousins, and Derrick Henry. For a full list of the top 50 free agents and predictions on where they may sign, check out the latest updates from USA TODAY.

Stay tuned for more updates on the NFL’s legal tampering window and the upcoming free agency period.