Around the NFL: Free agent signings 2018

[metalskins]

I don't really understand all of this legal tampering window mess and announcing these big time signing a day before free agency officially begins. I thought the way free agency was structured is that nobody can officially say anything or make any deals until the clock strikes 4pm on the day of free agency, yet, here we are hearing about all of these big time signings.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by metalskins

I don't really understand all of this legal tampering window mess and announcing these big time signing a day before free agency officially begins. I thought the way free agency was structured is that nobody can officially say anything or make any deals until the clock strikes 4pm on the day of free agency, yet, here we are hearing about all of these big time signings.

Times sure have changed huh

[metalskins]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

Times sure have changed huh

Kind of anti-climax. I remember sitting at my computer a few years ago counting down to 4pm and then hitting refresh on the screen to hear about new signings. Now, it's kind of eh...all of it has already happened. Nothing to see here folks, lol!

[sandtrapjack]

Originally Posted by metalskins

I don't really understand all of this legal tampering window mess and announcing these big time signing a day before free agency officially begins. I thought the way free agency was structured is that nobody can officially say anything or make any deals until the clock strikes 4pm on the day of free agency, yet, here we are hearing about all of these big time signings.

Nothing changed and it is more of the same. This has been going on for years before the 'legal tampering' was permitted. Only the league could not do anything about it. I remember the days when the new league year started at 4:00 PM EST. And at 4:05 there was a ton of press releases announcing signings. Those deals are not negotiated in 5 minutes. They just could not sign the contract until 4:00. In other words, those deals were struck way beforehand......aka, tampering.

NFL knew they could not do anything about it, so they 'legalized' it.