A curious part of NFL free agency is the legal tampering period. Starting March 11 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time, the Houston Texans and all other 31 NFL teams can begin negotiations with unrestricted free agents.
Restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents are prohibited from being communicated with during this period. Subjected parties have to wait until March 13 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time when the new league year begins, as does free agency.
What the Texans can do during the two-day window is talk about all facets of a the proposed contract. However, they can only meet with the player’s representatives. NFL rules prohibit clubs from negotiating directly with players, even if they act as their own representation, a la Daunte Culpepper. Players can’t even make team visits or travel arrangements for visits in this span.
The contracts are kind of like sponsorships on public television: Blatant description of what will be provided, but a call to action is strictly prohibited. In other words, no contracts can be agreed upon just yet. Even if the two sides really want to make a deal, it can’t be announced until March 13 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time.
If any team were to violate the tampering rules, there would be punitive action taken from the NFL. No free agent is worth losing draft picks over.
The Texans will be “selectively aggressive” in free agency for 2019, according to general manager Brian Gaine. Therefore, there may not be any reason to worry about them violating any NFL tampering rules.
