2023 Free Agency Primer
The 2023 NFL league year is officially here.
The official salary cap for the upcoming season has been set at $224.8 million.
Here is everything you need to know about free agency before the league year kicks off.
Q. When does the 2023 free agency signing period begin?
A. At 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 15.
Q. When is the two-day negotiating period for potential unrestricted free agents?
A. From 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 13 until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon expiration of their 2022 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 15. The two-day negotiating period applies only to prospective unrestricted free agents. It does not apply to players who have received, or who may receive, a required tender applicable to the 2023 League Year (e.g., Exclusive Rights Players, Restricted Free Agents, Franchise Players or Transition Players).
Q. What are the categories of free agency?
A. Players are either "restricted free agents" or "unrestricted free agents." A restricted free agent may be subject to a "qualifying offer." A restricted or unrestricted free agent may be designated by his prior club as its franchise player or transition player.
Q. What is the time period for free agency signings this year?
A. For restricted free agents, from March 15 to April 21. For unrestricted free agents who have received a tender from their prior club by the Monday immediately following the final day of the NFL Draft for the 2023 League Year (i.e., May 1), from March 15 to July 24 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). For franchise players, from March 15 until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 14. For transition players, from March 15 until July 24. After July 24 and until 4 p.m. ET on the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 14, the prior club has exclusive negotiating rights to unrestricted free agents and transition players. If the above-listed players do not sign by November 14, they must sit out the season.
Q. What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
A. In the 2023 league year, players with three accrued seasons who have received a qualifying offer become restricted free agents when their contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2022 league year on March 15. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons. Upon expiration of his 2022 contract, an unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any club with no draft-choice compensation owed to his old club.
Q. What constitutes an "accrued season"?
A. Six or more regular season games on a club's active/inactive, reserve/injured or reserve/physically unable to perform lists.
Q. How do the free agency rules apply to restricted free agents?
A. If a player with three accrued seasons has received a "qualifying offer" (a salary tender predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club, he can negotiate with any club through April 21. If the restricted free agent signs an offer sheet with a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because the qualifying offer entitles it to a "right of first refusal" on any offer sheet the player signs. If the old club does not match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed on or before April 21, the player's negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club. In addition, prior to the start of free agency a player who would otherwise be a restricted free agent may be designated by his old club as its franchise player or transition player.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 offseason.
CB Leonard Johnson - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
Q. What are the right of first refusal/qualifying offer amounts for players who have completed three accrued seasons?
A. For right of first refusal only, a one-year salary of at least $2,627,000.
For right of first refusal and compensation at the player's original draft round, a one-year salary of at least $2,743,000 or 110 percent of the 2022 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.
For right of first refusal and compensation of one second-round draft selection, a one-year salary of at least $4,304,000 or 110 percent of the 2022 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.
For right of first refusal and compensation of one first-round draft selection, a one-year salary of at least $6,005,000 or 110 percent of the 2022 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.
For right of first refusal and compensation of only one first-round draft selection, but any provision in the new club's offer sheet waiving or limiting the new club's ability to designate the player as a franchise or transition player is not a principal term and need not be matched by the prior club, a one-year salary of at least $6,505,000 or 110 percent of the 2022 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.
Q. What determines an unrestricted free agent?
A. A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no draft-choice compensation owed to his old club, through July 24 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). At that point, his negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club if by May 1 the old club tendered the player a one-year contract for 110 percent of his prior year's salary. His old club then has until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season (November 14) to sign him. If he does not sign by that date, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by May 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.
Q. What determines a franchise player?
A. The salary offer by a player's club determines what type of franchise player he is: exclusive or non-exclusive.
An "exclusive" franchise player – not free to sign with another club – is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 21; or (ii) the amount of the required tender for a non-exclusive franchise player, as explained below. Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) of the CBA sets forth the methodology, known as the "Cap Percentage Average," for calculating the required tender for a non-exclusive franchise player:
The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the "Cap Percentage Average") . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater . . . .
If a club extends a required tender to a "non-exclusive" franchise player pursuant to this section, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a player contract with any club, except that draft-choice compensation of two first-round draft selections shall be made in the event he signs with a new club.
Q. How many franchise players and transition players can a team designate each season?
A. A club can designate one franchise player or one transition player among its potential restricted or unrestricted free agents.
Q. Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designation on a player?
A. Yes. A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designation, and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent, either immediately if the tender is withdrawn after the start of the 2023 league year, or when his 2022 contract expires if the tender is withdrawn before the start of the 2023 league year.
Q. What is the salary cap for 2023?
A. The salary cap is $224,800,000 per club.
Q. When must teams be in compliance with the salary cap?
A. At the start of the 2023 league year, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 15.
Q. If a team is under the salary cap at the end of a given season, can the team "carry over" room to the next season?
A. Yes. A team may carry over room from one league year to the following league year by submitting notice to the NFL prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on the day following the team's final regular-season game, indicating the amount of room that the club wishes to carry over.
Q. What is the maximum amount of room that a club can carry over?
A. A club can carry over 100 percent of its remaining 2022 room to its adjusted salary cap for 2023.
View photos of NFL.com's list of the top 101 free agents of 2023.
101) QB Baker Mayfield
UPDATE: Mayfield has reportedly agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
100) RB David Montgomery
UPDATE: Montgomery has reportedly agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions.
99) WR Nelson Agholor
98) TE Irv Smith
97) DT Larry Ogunjobi
UPDATE: Ogunjobi has re-signed with the Steelers.
96) C Bradley Bozeman
UPDATE: Bozeman has re-signed with the Carolina Panthers.
95) EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel
94) QB Gardner Minshew
UPDATE: Minshew signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
93) S Juan Thornhill
UPDATE: Thornhill has reportedly agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns.
92) OT Andrew Wylie
UPDATE: Wylie has signed with the Washington Commanders.
91) C Garrett Bradbury
UPDATE: Bradbury has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings.
90) LB Kaden Elliss
UPDATE: Elliss has reportedly agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons.
89) RB Alexander Mattison
UPDATE: Mattison has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings.
88) LB Denzel Perryman
87) TE Robert Tonyan
UPDATE: Tonyan has signed with the Chicago Bears.
86) RB Raheem Mostert
UPDATE: Mostert re-signed with the Miami Dolphins.
85) WR Adam Thielen
UPDATE: Thielen has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers.
84) RB Devin Singletary
83) S Taylor Rapp
81) DL A'Shawn Robinson
80) DT Sheldon Rankins
UPDATE: Rankins has agreed to terms with the Houston Texans.
79) TE Hayden Hurst
UPDATE: Hurst has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers.
78) S Julian Love
UPDATE: Love has signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
82) QB Andy Dalton
UPDATE: Dalton has reportedly agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers.
77) RB Jamaal Williams
UPDATE: Williams has reportedly agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints.
76) S John Johnson
75) LB Leighton Vander Esch
UPDATE: Vander Esch has agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys.
74) LB Bobby Okereke
UPDATE: Okereke has signed with the New York Giants.
73) LB Azeez Al-Shaair
UPDATE: Al-Shaair has reportedly agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans.
72) NT Greg Gaines
UPDATE: Gaines has reportedly agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
71) EDGE Justin Houston
70) CB Bryce Callahan
69) WR Allen Lazard
UPDATE: Lazard has reportedly agreed to terms with the New York Jets.
68) RB Damien Harris
67) EDGE Frank Clark
66) DT Fletcher Cox
UPDATE: Cox has reportedly agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles.
65) OT Donovan Smith
64) DE Obo Okoronkwo
UPDATE: Okoronkwo has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns.
63) C Connor McGovern
62) LB Germaine Pratt
UPDATE: Pratt has re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
61) C Ethan Pocic
UPDATE: Pocic has re-signed with the Cleveland Browns.
60) LB Kyzir White
UPDATE: White has agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals.
59) QB Teddy Bridgewater
58) OT Kelvin Beachum
UPDATE: Beachum has agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals.
57) EDGE Samson Ebukam
UPDATE: Samson Ebukam has reportedly agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts.
56) G Isaac Seumalo
UPDATE: Seumalo has reportedly agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
55) DT David Onyemata
UPDATE: Onyemata has reportedly agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons.
54) LB T.J. Edwards
UPDATE: Edwards has agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears.
53) EDGE Melvin Ingram
52) DE Calais Campbell
51) RB Miles Sanders
UPDATE: Sanders has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers.
50) EDGE Leonard Floyd
49) S Donovan Wilson
UPDATE: Wilson has agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys.
48) WR Darius Slayton
47) CB Marcus Peters
46) EDGE Arden Key
UPDATE: Key has reportedly agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans.
45) OT Isaiah Wynn
44) LB Cole Holcomb
UPDATE: Holcomb has reportedly agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
43) LB Drue Tranquill
UPDATE: Tranquill has reportedly agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.
42) G Dalton Risner
41) S Vonn Bell
UPDATE: Bell has reportedly agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers.
40) CB Rock Ya-Sin
39) QB Jacoby Brissett
UPDATE: Brissett has reportedly agreed to terms with the Washington Commanders.
38) G Nate Davis
UPDATE: Davis has agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears.
37) DB Jimmie Ward
UPDATE: Ward has reportedly agreed to terms with the Houston Texans.
36) EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
35) G Ben Powers
UPDATE: Powers has reportedly agreed to terms with the Denver Broncos.
34) CB Patrick Peterson
UPDATE: Peterson has reportedly agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
33) CB Jonathan Jones
UPDATE: Jones has reportedly agreed to terms with the New England Patriots.
32) CB Shaquill Griffin
31) DL Poona Ford
29) OT Kaleb McGary
UPDATE: McGary has reportedly agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons.
28) WR D.J. Chark
28) OT Jawaan Taylor
UPDATE: Taylor has reportedly agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.
27) EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
26) CB Byron Murphy
UPDATE: Murphy has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings.
25) TE Mike Gesicki
UPDATE: Gesicki has reportedly agreed to terms with the New England Patriots.
24) DT Dalvin Tomlinson
UPDATE: Tomlinson has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns.
23) QB Jimmy Garoppolo
UPDATE: Garoppolo has reportedly agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders.
22) C Jason Kelce
UPDATE: Kelce has re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
21) LB Tremaine Edmunds
UPDATE: Edmunds has agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears.
20) WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
UPDATE: Smith-Schuster has reportedly signed with the New England Patriots.
19) CB Darius Slay
UPDATE: Slay has reportedly agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles.
18) LB David Long
UPDATE: Long has reportedly agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins.
17) EDGE Marcus Davenport
UPDATE: Davenport has agreed to terms with the Marcus Davenport.
16) TE Dalton Schultz
15) CB Cameron Sutton
UPDATE: Sutton has signed with the Detroit Lions.
14) S Jordan Poyer
UPDATE: Poyer has agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills.
13) LB Lavonte David
UPDATE: David has reportedly agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
12) WR Jakobi Meyers
UPDATE: Myers has reportedly agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders.
11) LB Bobby Wagner
10) CB Jamel Dean
UPDATE: Dean has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
9) WR Odell Beckham Jr.
8) DE Zach Allen
UPDATE: Allen has signed with the Denver Broncos.
7) DL Dre'Mont Jones
UPDATE: Jones has reportedly agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks.
6) OT Mike McGlinchey
UPDATE: McGlinchey has signed with the Denver Broncos.
5) S Jessie Bates
UPDATE: Bates has reportedly agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons.
4) CB James Bradberry
UPDATE: Bradberry has agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles.
3) S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
UPDATE: Gardner-Johnson has reportedly agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions.
2) OT Orlando Brown
UPDATE: Brown has agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals.
1) DT Javon Hargrave
UPDATE: Hargrave has reportedly agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers.
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