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2020 NFL free agency: Explaining the start of the new league year and what it means for the Patriots

Happy new year! Today at 4:00 p.m. ET, the NFL calendar turns another page and the 2020 league year will officially begins. For the 32 teams, this means the following:

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2020 on all players who have option clauses in their 2019 contracts.

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a minimum salary tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2019 contracts who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.