Restricted vs. Unrestricted Free Agents: NFL Offseason Terms Explained

The NFL offseason brings plenty of excitement with key events like free agency and the NFL Draft. However, this can also be a confusing time for fans who have to navigate unfamiliar terms.

Before NFL free agency gets underway, it’s important to understand the difference between restricted and unrestricted free agents.

What is the difference between restricted and unrestricted free agency? How do these terms pertain to the NFL offseason? What are some key offseason dates? Let's answer these burning questions.

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Restricted vs. Unrestricted Free Agency

Fans who look at their team’s impending free agents will see a mix of restricted and unrestricted players, but what does this mean?

Let’s start with the simpler term: unrestricted free agency. An unrestricted free agent is a player who has at least four “accrued seasons” in the NFL and is not under contract. There are dozens of examples this offseason, but some of the more prominent names include Kirk Cousins, Leonard Williams, Chris Jones, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., and Hunter Henry.

All of these players are considered unrestricted free agents because they have four-plus accrued seasons and finished playing out their existing contracts in 2023. Those contracts have since expired (or, to be more specific, will expire in the coming days), and they will be free to sign with any team at their leisure once the new league year begins on March 13.

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As the terminology suggests, restricted free agents are a little more complicated. In simple terms, a restricted free agent is a player who has at least three accrued seasons in the NFL and is not under contract. Examples include Cam Akers, Jauan Jennings, Brock Wright, Darrell Taylor, and Prince Tega Wanogho.

Restricted free agents are still allowed to negotiate with other teams when the legal tampering period opens on Monday, but their status as RFAs gives their previous team the right of first refusal. More specifically, teams assign “tenders” to their RFAs, awarding draft compensation to the team should they choose not to match the player’s other offer(s). 

Teams can choose different tenders -- designated by different rounds and restrictions -- to assign. The more restrictions and leverage that a tender promises the team, the more expensive the tender will be. 

Teams can also choose to revoke tenders, at which point the player becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team at their leisure.

Beyond restricted and unrestricted free agents, players can also be designated as exclusive rights free agents. An ERFA is a player who has fewer than three accrued seasons in the NFL and is not under contract. Their previous team can issue them a one-year contract at the league minimum rate, and the player can’t negotiate with other teams. 

Greg Dortch, Khalil Dorsey, and Cameron Dicker are among this offseason’s exclusive rights free agents. 

Relevance of RFA, UFA

The NFL’s legal tampering period opens at noon EDT next Monday, at which point all 32 teams may begin engaging in contract negotiations with certified agents of players on expiring contracts. This includes restricted and unrestricted free agents, as well as exclusive rights free agents who became unrestricted because their previous team opted not to extend a one-year contract.

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— Just Whitney (@trumplostsuckit) March 6, 2024

Although negotiations may begin Monday at noon, players may not officially sign with a new team until 52 hours later, when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 13.

With that said, players signing an extension with their previous team and players who became free agents prior to the expiration of the 2023 league year are permitted to (officially) sign before the new league year begins.

Key Free Agency Dates & Times

March 11 - Legal Tampering Period Opens at Noon EDT

At noon EDT, all NFL teams are permitted to engage in contract negotiations with certified agents of players scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency on March 13. Even though the new league year doesn't begin until March 13, many NFL fans consider March 11 the start of free agency. Dozens and dozens of deals will be agreed upon throughout the first day of the tampering period.

March 13 - New League Year Begins at 4 p.m. EDT

The 2024 league year officially begins at 4 p.m. EDT, at which point the league processes many trades and signings that were finalized during the tampering period (or earlier). This benchmark on the timeline isn't nearly as hectic as March 11, but it still does bring a stream of previously unreported moves (as well as previously reported moves becoming official). Given that many handshake agreements were made in the days, weeks, or even months leading up to March 13, there will certainly be a surge of moves that become official when the clock strikes four.

Breaking: The 2024 NFL salary cap is set for a whopping, record-breaking $255.4 million, sources tell @CBSSports. That's up more than $30 million from last year's cap number and well beyond all the recent estimates. Story to come.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 23, 2024

For a full list of key dates throughout the NFL offseason, click here.

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