confused on this pre new league year deals

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I thought contracts couldn't be negotiated by any team but the impending free agent's previous team before tomorrow? Yet trades are going down, players are agreeing to contracts before the new league year, and so on. I thought I remember it being tampering. Can anyone explain this?

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That's how it used to be but the league decided to implicitly acknowledge the tampering that occurred by giving a 3 day "neogitiating" window prior to free agency officially opening. I think this is the second year that this has been allowed to happen. However, I don't think the NFL is pleased that so many "done deals" have been reported.

Thanks guys, just something that's been confusing to.me

League e-mail scolds teams for doing exactly what teams do

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Via Albert Breer of NFL Media, here’s the verbatim e-mail sent to teams today, scolding them for all the leaked deals (which can’t really be deals since there can’t even be offers).

“Clubs were advised of the rules for the three-day negotiating period in PP-23-15 (attached). These rules include limitations such as that a club cannot make an “offer;” or enter into a written or oral agreement of any kind, express or implied, or make promises or representations of any type concerning the terms or conditions of employment to be offered to any Unrestricted Free Agent for inclusion in a Player Contract after the start of the new League Year; or provide assurances of intent as to the future execution of an NFL Player Contract. Clubs were further advised that “Any attempt to undermine the purpose of this negotiating period may be considered conduct detrimental to the League.” At this time, the League office is beginning investigations into a number of reported agreements with clubs. Violations will be dealt with accordingly.”

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So the NFL opens a 3-day negotiating window and is shocked that NFL teams and agents negotiate and basically sign deals?

For some reason, I feel the NFL wouldn't be so angry if there was just some non-specific generalization so they could monetize the reporting better.

Exactly. I believe the issue is with the teams that are releasing the terms of the contracts to the public. I think t is ok if the players mention it, but the tams cannot say anything, bc technically they are still under contract w/ the original teams. (This is for unrestricted FAs only, teams can do whatever they want with the restricted FAs and tendered players).

Also, (where we may get in trouble), teams are not allowed to coordinate visits during these 3 days. I am not sure what will happen if the player just happened to be in the area, but the teams are not suppose to arrange travel.

The guy we brought in for a visit was a cut player. Cut players are fair game to bring in and sign.