Finally, after months of rhetoric and tension, Monday brought a great relief to everyone involved in the world of football as the NFLPA approved the proposed deal. The fans rejoiced as both sides came together for the agreement and even held a joint press conference in which players and owners embraced. In fact, the NFLPA one-upped the owners by getting all 32 player reps to approve the deal, so that means even the Raiders players rep voted in favor.
DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell seemed to be smiling at inside jokes as the press conference was proceeding but most importantly, the focus came back to football. Teams will be able to start negotiating with draft picks starting Monday night.
According to many reports, the accelerated time table will put all teams in training camp this week.
Free agency will start Tuesday as teams can start signing their own free agents and undrafted free agents. The League year will commence next week and teams will start making roster cuts along the way.
So to make up for four months of labor disputes we will get a 7-10 day whirlwind tour where there will be NFL news almost 24/7. The NFLPA will brief agents on the new rules and then let the free agency and signing games begin.
TIMELINE OF TRANSACTIONS
- Monday: NFL publishes official FA list. Teams could sign undrafted free agents beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
- Tuesday, 10 a.m. ET: Trading begins. Teams can sign rookies and negotiate with, but not sign, veteran free agents.
- Thursday, 4:01 p.m. ET: Teams can begin to cut players.
- Friday, 6 p.m. ET: Teams can officially sign free agents. Players who sign must report to new teams but can’t participate in physical activities until start of league year Aug. 4.
- Aug. 4, 4:01 p.m. ET: Clubs must be within salary cap.
We will look at more details of the deal tomorrow.
