The NFL's free agency period is quickly approaching. Fans shouldn't be surprised if many of the top free agents end up agreeing to deals before the window.
How is that possible?
In 2012, the NFL implemented a "legal tampering period" that allows teams to start negotiations with the representatives of unrestricted free agents before free agency officially begins. While contracts cannot be finalized or signed during the legal tampering period, deals can be agreed upon (and these consummated deals often get reported).
When is the legal tampering period?
This year, the legal tampering period begins Monday at noon ET.
What are rules during the legal tampering period?
Teams cannot communicate with players directly during the legal tampering period -- all contact must go through the player's agent. If a team wants to meet with a player or speak with him directly, it must wait until free agency is officially underway.
If the NFL finds out that a team has started negotiating prior to the legal tampering period or contacted a player too early, it can punish the organization in the form of fines or even removal of draft picks.
Are there any exceptions to the legal tampering rules?
Teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents and even sign them to new deals prior to the start of free agency. For example, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently re-signed Mike Evans to a two-year contract and held a news conference to officially announce the signing, which is allowed because Evans is returning to the Bucs.
Also, if a player is released, he is free to meet with teams and sign a new contract prior to the legal tampering period. Since a released player is no longer under contract with a team, there's no penalty for tampering. For example, Mitch Trubisky was able to sign with the Buffalo Bills after he was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The only other exception is if a team gives a player permission to meet with other teams, as the Denver Broncos did with soon-to-be-released Russell Wilson. The Broncos won't be releasing Wilson until the NFL's new league year starts Wednesday, but they allowed him to meet with other teams, such as the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, before then.
Last year, a flurry of deals were reported minutes into the legal tampering period. Don't be surprised if the NFL's free agency fireworks get started Monday afternoon.
For more NFL free agency coverage, check out our NFL free agency tracker, ranking of the top 100 free agents and grades for every signing!