North Charlotte Today

The 2025 NFL free agency period is set to commence at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12, marking the start of a significant phase in the league's calendar. This period allows teams to sign players whose contracts have expired, either as restricted or unrestricted free agents.

The negotiating window for potential unrestricted free agents opens at noon on March 10 and closes just before the official signing period begins. During this time, clubs can engage with certified agents of players poised to become unrestricted free agents once their current contracts expire.

Free agency categories are defined by whether a player is "restricted" or "unrestricted." Restricted free agents may receive a "qualifying offer," while both types can be designated as franchise or transition players by their previous clubs.

For restricted free agents, negotiations are open from March 12 until April 18. Unrestricted free agents who have received tenders can negotiate until July 22 or the first day of training camp, whichever comes later. Franchise and transition players have different deadlines, with franchise players having until November 11 and transition players having until July 22 to finalize deals.

An accrued season is defined as six or more regular-season games on specific team lists. Players with three accrued seasons receiving qualifying offers become restricted free agents when their contracts end after the 2024 season. Those with four or more accrued seasons become unrestricted and can sign without draft-choice compensation owed to their former teams.

Franchise player designations are determined by salary offers from clubs, distinguishing between exclusive and non-exclusive status based on average top salaries at a player's position or other calculations outlined in Article 10 of the CBA.

Each team may designate one franchise player or one transition player annually among its potential free agents. Clubs retain the right to withdraw these designations, converting such players into unrestricted free agents under certain conditions.

The salary cap for each club in 2025 is set at $279,200,000. Teams must comply with this cap starting at the beginning of the league year on March 12. Additionally, teams may carry over unused cap space from one year to another by notifying the NFL appropriately.