Free Agent#National Football League usage

A free agent in the U.S. National Football League ( NFL), a player who is under contract with any team.

Restricted / unrestricted

There are two types of free agents: Unrestricted free agents can without restrictions to a new club change. Restricted free agents are subject to restrictions on the search team.

Unrestricted Free Agency

The period may lead negotiations with unsigned players in the NFL teams is called " Free Agency ". Outside of this period, the teams have only the option of a private player to impose a franchise tag, thus committing without an agreement on a new contract to the team and not to let the free agent. A further sub- division such as in the National Hockey League ( NHL) does not exist in the NFL.

Restricted Free Agents

Restricted free agents are players who have played three or fewer seasons in the NFL and whose contract has expired. You have an offer from their previous club, but are free to negotiate with other clubs. The phase it runs until about a week before the annual NFL Draft in April. The Player accepts an offer of a new team, the current team can draw level with this offer in order to keep the player. If this is not the case, then there are for the old team - depending on the level of their own bid - compensation in the form of draft rights that must be delivered from the new to the old team.