Free Agent (NFL)
In the US National Football League (NFL), a free agent is a player who is not under contract with any team. Negotiations with free agents who were previously under contract with other teams are only permitted when their contract expires, i.e. for the new league year. Three days before the end of the league year should begin even with the teams agent to negotiate on free agents, contact with the players themselves, however, is prohibited. If a player represents himself, he may not be addressed within this negotiation window.
species
There are four types of free agents: Undrafted , Exclusive Rights , Unrestricted, and Restricted Free Agents.
Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA)
Undrafted Free Agents are players who were not selected during the NFL Draft . You can negotiate with any team after the draft is complete. Financially, they are subject to the same minimum conditions as drafted players. For most players, getting into the league as an undrafted free agent is better than a sixth or seventh round pick . The financial differences are usually small, but the players have a free choice of team. They are also subject to less public pressure because they are not considered a waste of a pick if they perform poorly.
Restricted Free Agent (RFA)
Restricted free agents are players who have played three accrued seasons (AS) in the NFL and whose contract has expired. An accrued season is counted if a player was in a team's squad for at least six regular season games. The time that a player spent in the Practice Squad or on the NFI list is not included. You have an offer from your previous club, but you are free to negotiate with other clubs. If the player accepts an offer from a new team, the previous team can draw level with this offer in order to keep the player. If this is not the case, there is a possible compensation for the old team, depending on the selected tender (German about tender, offer). The original teams can choose from four different tenders:
- First-round tender; the original team receives a first-round pick as compensation
- Second-round tender; the original team receives a second round pick as compensation
- Original round tender; the original team is compensated with a pick from the round in which the player was originally selected
- Right of first refusal; the original team receives no compensation
Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA)
Exclusive rights free agents are players with two or less accrued seasons . You may not negotiate with other teams after an offer from your original team. The choices of these free agents are limited to accepting the offer or not playing.
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA)
Unrestricted free agents are players who are allowed to negotiate with all teams and are not subject to any restrictions. Players must have four or more accrued seasons to become an Unrestricted Free Agent . An unrestricted free agent must have a new contract by the start of the training camp , otherwise his old team receives the exclusive negotiating rights if it has made an offer of at least 110% of its previous year's salary by June 1st of the league year. If this happens, the old team must have signed the player by Tuesday after the tenth match day, otherwise the player is forced to suspend this season. However, unrestricted free agents can be restricted with a franchise tag or a transition tag . Each team may assign one of the tags to one player per season, but may also withdraw it.
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ A b NFL free agency: Frequently asked questions. NFL, accessed March 3, 2018 .
- ^ NFL undrafted free agency: How it works and why it's better than being a late-round draft pick. SB Nation, accessed March 3, 2018 .
- ^ NFL restricted free agency: Rules, tender amounts, and more. SB Nation, accessed March 3, 2018 .
- ↑ Josh Gordon will be an exclusive rights free agent. What is that? SB Nation, accessed March 3, 2018 .