What is the legal period for NFL tampering? When does it start?

The NFL free agency period is fast approaching. However, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see many of the top free agents signed by now.

How is this possible?

In 2012, the NFL introduced a “legal tampering period” that allowed teams to begin negotiations with unrestricted free agent representatives before free agency officially began. Although contracts cannot be completed or signed during a legal operation period, it is possible to agree to transactions (and these completed transactions are often reported).

When is the legal tampering period?

This year, the statutory tampering period begins Monday at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

What rules apply during the Legal Tampering Period?

Teams may not communicate directly with players during the Legal Tampering Period. All communications must be made through the player’s representative. If a team wants to meet or speak with a player in person, they will have to wait until free agency officially opens.

The NFL can punish a team with fines or even take away draft picks if it discovers that the team started negotiations before the legal tampering period or contacted a player too soon.

Are there any exceptions to the legal tampering rule?

Teams can negotiate with their own free agents and even sign new contracts before free agency begins. For example, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently re-signed Mike Evans to a two-year contract and held a press conference to officially announce the deal, which is forgivable since Evans is back with the Bucs.

If a player is released, he is also free to meet with the team and sign a new contract before the legal tampering period ends. There is no penalty for tampering because the released player is no longer under contract with the team. For example, Mitch Trubisky was able to sign with the Buffalo Bills after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The only other exception is when a team grants a player permission to meet with another team, as the Denver Broncos did with soon-to-be-released Russell Wilson. The Broncos won’t trade Wilson until Wednesday, when the new NFL year begins, but have allowed him to meet with other teams, including the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, before then.

Last year, a large number of transactions were reported just minutes after the legal tampering period began. Don’t be surprised if the NFL free agency fireworks begin Monday afternoon.

For more NFL free agency coverage, check out our NFL Free Agent Tracker, our Top 100 Free Agent Rankings, and how each new signing is performing.