Free Agent Coverage

Free Agent Information and News | Future Free Agents | Free Agent Archive
Terms and Definitions | Free Agency FAQ

Since 1993, one of the largest aspects in altering the way an NFL team's roster can be bolstered or hindered is the free agent period.

During this time frame each year, NFL players have the ability to move around the league with ease, at times, and team loyalty is no longer a factor like it was years ago as high-profile players and role-players alike have the chance to pick and choose from which team they want to sign with if the dollars are to their liking.

Current Free Agent Information

» 2009 Free Agent Chart
Free agent charts to show you who's available on the open market and which players have already been signed. Free agent charts can be broken down by position and team.

» Free Agency Information - Hot off the Wire
Looking for the latest information on which team is looking at which free agent players? Wondering which players are interested in playing for which teams or how negotiations are going between free agents and their current team? KFFL's Hot off the Wire keeps track of all of the latest information you are looking for. Through this customized version of Hot off the Wire, you have direct access to information that is specific to the NFL Free Agency period.

Future Year Free Agent Information

Interested in finding out which players are in the final year of their contract? Which players could be moving onto another team next year or up for a potential contract extension before their contract expires? KFFL's future-year free agent coverage keeps you in the know on when contracts are set to expire. Also, keep in mind some players may have clauses in their contract and be able to opt out of future years of their current contract. Should this happen, they will be added to the list at that time.

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Free Agent Information Archive

Year: 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008

Free Agent Terms & Definitions

There are five types of free agents, with each type having different abilities when it comes to being able to move around the league. Those five types are as follows:

» Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) - Players with four years or more of NFL experience who can sign with their own team or any other team in the NFL. If they leave their previous team the team that signs them can do so without having to award the previous team compensation.

» Restricted Free Agents (RFA) - Players with three years of NFL experience. Like an unrestricted free agent they are free to negotiate with any team however the current team has the right to match any offer and if they do so they retain the rights to the player. Failure to meet the offer means the player is awarded to the new team but the new team must give the old team compensation in the form of draft picks.

» Exclusive-Rights Free Agents (ERFA) - Players with two or fewer years of experience who have no outside negotiating power. Their rights belong to their previous club provided they are made a minimum qualifying offer.

» Franchise Free Agents (FFA) - Unrestricted free agents who have been designated as the "Franchise" player. Current team has the right to match any offer. If they refuse they are given compensation by the new team the player has signed to play for.

» Transitional Free Agents (TFA) - Players who can negotiate with any club but current team retains matching rights.

NFL FREE AGENCY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q - What are the categories of free agency?
A - Players are either "restricted" or "unrestricted" free agents. Within the categories are also "transition" and "franchise" players.

Q - What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
A - Players become restricted free agents when they complete three accrued seasons and their contract expires. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons with an expired contract.

Q - What constitutes an "accrued season?"
A - Six or more regular-season games on a club's active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.

Q - Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designations on a player? If so, can it then use them on other players?
A - A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designations and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent either immediately or when his contract expires. The club cannot name a new franchise or transition player that year. It can name a new franchise or transition player the next year.