The NFL's legal negotiating window for free agency officially opens today, Monday, at 12 p.m. ET, marking the start of one of the most active periods on the professional football calendar. During this window, teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.
According to Adam Schefter, while players and teams can agree to terms on new deals starting this afternoon, these agreements are not legally binding. No contracts can be officially signed until the new league year begins this coming Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
The 52-hour window provides a head start for franchises to bolster their rosters, but it also carries inherent risks. As Schefter noted, players still can—and occasionally have—changed their minds during the interval between agreeing to terms and putting pen to paper. Until the physical contract is signed on Wednesday afternoon, any reported deal remains unofficial and subject to change.
Expect a significant volume of news as the 12 p.m. ET deadline passes and teams begin aggressive pursuits of available talent across the league.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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