The NFL’s so-called legal loophole period begins at noon ET on Monday, March 14. At that point, we’ll start looking at deals together. Today we will discuss about NFL free agency: Tracker| What time does begin| Grades so far.
NFL free agency: Tracker| What time does begin| Grades so far
The 2022 NFL off season is officially upon us. Several big-name quarterbacks found new homes ahead of the kickoff of the legal loophole period on Monday, but now dozens of notable veterans are actually coming to market, free to negotiate with other teams. From blockbuster moves to bargain-bin shopping, we’ve got you covered with a running tracker for each team’s 2022 additions, including outside signings and trade acquisitions.
Tracker
NFL free agency for the 2022 season is here, and if the week ahead for this event is any indication, things could get crazy fast as the new league year begins.
In the week leading up to free agency, NFL teams agreed to four trades involving big-name players. Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz, Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper were traded in that order over a period of five days.
The trade market has cooled a bit since those deals. However, quarterbacks like Deshan Watson and Jimmy Garoppolo are still available, so we’ll definitely see some more trades as the NFL goes free agency.
Of course, there’s also the free agent part of free agency. There’s not a Tom Brady-type prize this season—well, until he’s back, at least—but there are plenty of quality playmates available at the receiver, on defense, and along the offensive line. Jesse Jackson, Von Miller, Alan Robinson, and Tyrone Matthews highlight the most recognizable names on the market, but there’s a lot of talent in the top 50 available free agents.
What time does begin
The 2022 NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Eastern, however, at 12 noon. Eastern Time Today marks the unofficial start of the year. As people celebrate their “Birthday Week,” the NFL no longer starts the league year — and free agency — just at scheduled times. Instead, we now have a three-day build-up to the start of free agency, a period that contradicts the colloquial name of the “legal loophole” period. During this period, teams can contact agents and discuss possible contract terms for a player who will become a free agent at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Teams are being allowed two and a half days to discuss signing a player under contract with a different team. Thus “legal tampering.”
Contracts cannot be executed and, technically, a deal cannot be finalized before the start of free agency on Wednesday. However, over the next few days, we will have a pretty good idea of where many big-name players will play in 2022.
Grades so far
Responsible free-agent spending is a pipeline to the Super Bowl, which is something that seems obvious but may not always happen. Between teams just sparring in free agency versus being really good at it is the link between the pro scouting department and the coaching staff. I spoke with the Bengals ahead of the Super Bowl, who wondered why everyone (ahem, myself included) predicted they would win so few games in 2021. They were thrilled with the idea of pairing Eli Apple and Chidob Ouzie together. He didn’t believe Trey Hendrickson was a product of Dennis Allen’s defense.
Because their scouting staff and coaching staff were asked to do a hybrid job of bringing their evaluations together and providing feedback. We’ll see what this year is all about as we gather to quickly grade individual transactions worth noting, but keep in mind that while Jesse Jackson may be the cornerback changing the market, that doesn’t mean he’ll be in the 2022 season. Will make important changes. The same can be said of any of the top players broken into our best available list.
