The NFL’s official period of free agency negotiations opens later today with what is generally called ‘legal tampering’ — that is, negotiations between players and teams, with no finalized deals or contracts allowed.
NFL players set to become free agents aren’t allowed to meet with or discuss contract terms with teams other than their own until that period starts — though many have had at least tentative, informal contact with teams to see what the market is likely to look like.
That changes at 12:00 p.m. ET today, when teams and players can start talking and getting deals in place, though they can’t be finalized until this Thursday, March 9, 4:00 p.