The NFL's 2018 unrestricted free agent market opens next Wednesday, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just might go shopping. Here are a few things you need to know in order to follow along.
1. The new league year begins on Wednesday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m. ET
That's the starting gun for free agency because the end of the 2017 league year means the expiration of all player contracts that did not extend past that season. If the final list of names that make it to free agency is similar to last year, there will be around 500 players for teams to consider, although a small percentage of those will be restricted free agents (more on that below).