We are just days away from the start of NFL free agency, a turbulent period in which teams scramble to get the best free agents available, causing an earthquake of information coming from all franchises, almost simultaneously, as by rule, teams have limited periods of time prior to the start of the process to formally negotiate with players
When does NFL free agency start?
By regulation, the start of free agency coincides with the start of the new NFL year and for 2025 this date is set for March 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET. By that time, all 32 franchises must be below the salary cap for the upcoming season.
In order to negotiate with free agents, the NFL implemented the so-called tampering period, which is the exclusive time when franchises can directly contact players or their agents, before the start of free agency. If both parties reach an agreement, they must wait until the start of the new year to make it official.
This period only applies to players who will be unrestricted free agents at the start of free agency, meaning it does not apply to exclusive rights players, restricted free agents, franchise players or transition players.
In 2025, this period begins at noon (ET) on March 10, 2025, and extends until the start of free agency
In terms of money available to spend for teams, this year the NFL set the salary cap at a maximum of $279.2 million. If a team does not reach the limit of its salary cap in a season, it is entitled to carry over the difference to its salary cap for the following year, by sending a notice to the NFL, indicating the amount of space that the club wishes to transfer.
Free agent categories
In general, there are two categories of free agents: ‘restricted’ and ‘unrestricted’. The former has a contract that may be subject to a “qualifying offer”. However, a restricted or unrestricted free agent may also be designated as a franchise player or transition player.
For restricted free agents, their negotiating window runs from March 12 to April 18.
Unrestricted free agents can sign deals from the first minute of free agency. They can receive offers from their previous club before the Monday immediately following the last day of the Draft (i.e. April 28), or until the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later.
For franchise players, their negotiation period runs from March 12 until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 11.
For transition players, they can negotiate between March 12 and July 22. After July 22 and until November 11, their club has exclusive negotiating rights for unrestricted free agents and transition players. If the above-mentioned players do not sign before November 11, they must sit out the season.
Who are the best free agents available in the NFL?
- Quarterback: Sam Darnold
- Running back: Najee Harris
- Fullback: Patrick Ricard
- Receiver: Chris Godwin
- Tight end: Mike Gesicki
- Offensive tackle: Ronnie Stanley
- Offensive guard: Teven Jenkins
- Center: Drew Dalman
- Defensive tackle: BJ Hill
- Edge: Khalil Mack
- Linebacker: Zack Baun
- Cornerback: DJ Reed
- Safety: Jevon Holland
- Kicker: Nick Folk
- Punter: Bryan Anger
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