Ok so let me try to explain free agency to you all without getting too
technical. Today March 13, 2012 was the beginning of free agency for the
2012 NFL season. What that means is that today any player that was under
a contract that expired at the end of the 2011 season may begin to negotiate
and sign contracts with other teams. Where it gets a bit confusing is the
use of the term “free agent”. I’m going to break down the free agents
into three different categories; restricted, unrestricted, and “street” free
agents.
Many of you are probably already asking, “If free
agency began today how did Randy Moss sign with the 49ers yesterday?”
Good question, Randy Moss was free to sign with San Francisco because he was a
“street free agent”. Moss’ last contract with the Tennessee Titans ended
at the conclusion of the 2010 season. This means Moss had no obligation
to any team throughout the entire 2011 season and thus could sign with any team
he pleased at any time following the July 29, 2011 date, which opened free agency
for the 2011 season. Prior to the opening of free Agency today (March 13,
2012), any player that was not under contract at the conclusion of the 2011
season was considered a street free agent. This also includes players
that were released at any point during the 2011 season and did not sign a new
contract before the end of the season.
The next two types of free agents are much
simpler. The first are unrestricted free agents. Unrestricted free
agents are players whose contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2011 season
and are free to negotiate and sign with any team they would like after free
agency begins. The other type of free agent, restricted free agents
cannot move as freely as unrestricted free agents. Restricted free
agents are allowed to negotiate with other teams, however if an offer is made,
the team that player had their last contract with has the opportunity to match
that offer. If the offer is matched the player’s rights revert to the
previous team.
That’s free agency in a nutshell ladies and gents! I
hope that clears up a few things.
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