When does free agency start in the NFL? The answer is slightly complicated.
Free agency always officially starts at the beginning of the new league year. But players and teams can and often do agree to terms on contracts before then.
In 2012, the NFL implemented a ‘legal tampering’ period that allows teams to enter negotiations with players’ agents before the official start of free agency. Though the deals don’t become official until the start of the new league year, the negotiation period in the days before allows teams to get the ball rolling on free agency plans early.
Here’s what you need to know about the NFL’s legal tampering window:
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What is ‘legal tampering’ in the NFL?
Thirteen years ago, the league implemented a ‘legal tampering’ window to counter the growing number of under-the-table negotiations that were happening before the official start of free agency.
Under normal circumstances (i.e., outside of the legal tampering period), teams are not allowed to negotiate contract details with players who aren’t on their roster. However, the NFL’s negotiation period allows any team and player representative to start the process of reaching a deal prior to the official start of free agency.
A few important notes and restrictions apply to the NFL’s legal tampering window.
For one, a team cannot contact a player directly during this time. All negotiations before free agency can only occur between a front office and the player’s representation (read: agent). That also means players can’t visit the facilities of other teams until they officially hit the open free-agent market.
When this does happen, teams (and occasionally general managers) are fined and can lose draft picks. This year, the Falcons don’t have their fifth-round pick in the draft because they made illegal direct contact with quarterback Kirk Cousins prior to the new league year. The NFL also fined them $250,000 and general manager Terry Fontenot an additional $50,000.
Additionally, deals agreed upon during the legal tampering period are not official until the new league year starts. A player might agree to terms on a contract deal and back out before it becomes official when the league years rolls over and free agency begins.
A few years ago, edge rusher Randy Gregory agreed (through his agent) to a five-year deal to remain with the Cowboys before eventually backing out of the agreement to sign with the Broncos.
When does the NFL’s ‘negotiation period’ start?
Players and their agents can begin negotiating new deals with teams two days before the start of the new league year.
This year’s negotiation period begins on Monday, March 10 at noon and ends with the start of the new league year. At that point, all contracts roll over to the next year, pending free agents officially become free agents and tampering is no longer a relevant issue.
When does NFL free agency start?
NFL free agency officially begins with the start of the new league year. In 2025, the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m. ET.
All contracts in their final year expire, and all deals negotiated during the negotiation period become official. Players who hit free agency are officially allowed to sign new deals with any team.
Top NFL free agents 2025
According to USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis, these are the 10 best players set to become free agents this year:
- Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
- Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
- Josh Sweat, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles
- Byron Murphy Jr., CB, Minnesota Vikings
- Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
- Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins
- Milton Williams, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
- D.J. Reed, CB, New York Jets
- Justin Reid, S, Chiefs
- Drew Dalman, C Atlanta Falcons
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