NFL Free Agency 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
The NFL free agency season is a highly anticipated period when players can negotiate and sign with new teams, paving the way for dramatic team overhauls and exciting roster changes. For fans and analysts alike, staying updated with the latest news and rumors is crucial. The Pro Football Talk (PFT) rumor mill will be your go-to source for the most current and reliable information.
Key Dates and Deadlines
March 10: Legal Tampering Begins
The "legal tampering" period kicks off at noon ET on March 10. During this time, NFL teams are allowed to engage in negotiations with the agents of players who are set to become free agents. However, no official contracts can be signed until free agency officially begins. This period is a critical time for both teams and players to discuss terms and gauge interest.
March 12: Free Agency Signings Begin
The 2025 league year and free agency signing period officially commence at 4 p.m. ET on March 12. At this point, teams can finalize and sign contracts with free agents. The flurry of activity on this day is often referred to as "free agency frenzy," as teams race to secure the top talent available.
April 18: Restricted Free Agent Offer Sheet Deadline
By April 18, restricted free agents must sign offer sheets if they want to join a new team. These offer sheets must be extended by the new team, and the player’s original team has the right to match the offer.
April 23: Right of First Refusal Deadline
April 23 is the deadline for the original team to exercise its right of first refusal if a restricted free agent signs an offer sheet. If the original team matches the offer, the player remains with their current team.
May 1: Fifth-Year Option Deadline
Teams have until May 1 to exercise the fifth-year option for players drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. This option provides an additional year of team control and can be a significant factor in a player’s early career trajectory.
June 1: June 1 Tender Deadline
June 1 marks the deadline for teams to send a June 1 tender to an unsigned free agent who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only. This ensures the player is subject to the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s (CBA) June 15 tender provision.
June 15: June 15 Tender Deadline
By June 15, teams can withdraw a higher qualifying offer to restricted free agents and retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting a lower June 15 tender of a one-year contract at 110 percent of the player’s prior year salary.
July 15: Long-Term Contract Deadline
July 15 is the deadline for the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals to sign Trey Smith and Tee Higgins, respectively, to multiyear contracts. After this date, both players may only sign one-year contracts for the 2025 season.
Franchise Tag Recipients
This offseason, only two players received the franchise tag: Chiefs guard Trey Smith and Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Both players and their teams have until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET to negotiate and sign long-term contracts. If no agreement is reached, they will play the 2025 season under one-year contracts, with the franchise tag guaranteeing a significant salary but limiting their long-term financial stability.
Top NFL Free Agents for 2025
PFT’s list of the Top 100 free agents highlights some of the most coveted players available. Leading the pack is Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, followed by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, and Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith. Darnold, in particular, stands out as the top truly unrestricted free agent, making him a prime target for teams in need of quarterback stability.
When Can Teams Start Trading?
While trade negotiations can begin at any time, official trades can only be finalized at the start of the league year on March 12 at 4 p.m. ET. This timing allows teams to make strategic moves and reshape their rosters in preparation for the upcoming season. The ability to trade players, draft picks, and other assets adds another layer of complexity and excitement to the offseason.
Conclusion
The 2025 NFL free agency season promises to be a dynamic and eventful period, with key dates and deadlines providing a structured timeline for the process. From the legal tampering period to the final deadline for long-term contracts, fans and analysts will have plenty to follow and analyze. With top players like Tee Higgins and Sam Darnold hitting the market, the competition for talent will be fierce, and the decisions made during this period could shape the landscape of the NFL for years to come. Stay tuned to PFT and other reliable sources to ensure you don’t miss a beat in the action.
