The NFL offseason is about to kick off with the start of free agency, immediately following the NFL Combine and leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25).
Wide receiver George Pickens, running back Bryce Hall, quarterback Malik Willis, center Tyler Lindrum and Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker are all top free agents in the 2026 offseason.
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But when does free agency begin? This is a little tricky, but let’s explain.
Here’s what you need to know about NFL free agency and the legal tampering deadline:
When does NFL free agency start?
NFL free agency will officially begin on Wednesday, March 11 at 4 pm ET – considered the start of the new league year.
For the NFL’s free agency period, it’s just a formality: a time when players and teams can officially sign deals they’ve agreed to in advance.
What is the NFL’s legal tampering period?
The NFL’s legal tampering period begins Monday, March 9, at noon ET. At this point, the agent can represent the client in contract negotiations with potential teams.
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Some free agent deals may be leaked or made public in the media between March 9 and 10.
But they are unable to sign until the start of the new league year.
Are there any rules during legal tampering in the NFL?
All contact must go through the player’s agent, which means NFL teams are not allowed to speak directly to the player during the tampering period. If a team wants to meet with a player or talk to him directly, or if a player wants to visit a team facility, they must wait until free agency officially begins.
If a team is found to have contacted a player prematurely or negotiated a deal before the tampering period, the league can fine the team or revoke draft picks.
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Are there any exceptions to the NFL’s legal tampering deadline?
The tampering period is primarily when players join a new team.
Teams can negotiate with their own free agents before the tampering window or even sign them to new contracts before free agency.
Released players can also meet with teams and sign new contracts, as they do not have contracts with their former teams.
In some cases, teams can also allow players to seek new contracts before the tampering period.
When does the NFL allow legal tampering?
The NFL implemented a legal tampering period in 2012 after discovering that teams had indeed engaged in tampering prior to free agency.
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However, agents and teams frequently stay in touch throughout the offseason during events like the Senior Bowl and bond where initial conversations typically take place.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the ‘legal tampering’ period of NFL free agency? Here’s what you need to know
