Free Agency with and without the cap
by shake n bake on May 28, 2009 3:38 PM EDT
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The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the Players Association is set to expire after the 2010 season. As an incentive to spur extension talks the 2010 season is uncapped. Most owners don't want an upcapped league, and the players association doesn't drool over the prospect since it would also remove the salary floor, allowing teams to spend as little as they want on their roster, meaning an uncapped league could very well not increase, or could even decrease the money going to players.
In the event of an uncapped season, the league didn't want all the richer teams to buy up all the talent, so there are added restrictions on free agency in an uncapped season, by far the most relevant of which being an increase in service time requirements for unrestricted free agency.
| Years Service | Capped League | Uncapped League |
| 1-2 | ERFA | ERFA |
| 3 | RFA | RFA |
| 4 | UFA | RFA |
| 5 | UFA | UFA |
ERFA (Definition from AsktheCommish)
may only sign with his prior team, provided, of course, that the team extends a minimum qualifying offer (league minimum) to the player.
RFA-Teams can offer a tender to their RFAs which grants them "right of first refusal" (the ability to match any contract offered to the RFA) and draft pick compensation from the signing team according to the level of tender offered to the player.
UFA-Player can sign with any team.
So the difference between free agency in an uncapped and capped season is players with 4 years of service, are RFAs instead of UFAs. The Colts have 4 players who's free agency status will depend on whether a new/extended CBA is signed,
Antoine Bethea, Tim Jennings, T.J. Rushing and Charlie Johnson.
While the lack of a deal on the CBA would remove the cap, possibily never to be re-applied and be a major step towards a work stoppage, it would make it much easier and cheaper for Indy to keep 4 key role players.
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Great Post
This is a topic that has not been discussed heavily on this site, but has the potential to shut down the NFL after the 2009 season. It’s also a really confusing topic, too. Even though there is no salary cap, there will be less unrestricted free agents and “bidding wars” are very unlikely to occur. For some reason, I thought rookies were not allowed to be UFA until their 6th year. I’ll try to find a source for that (Peter King maybe?).
Also, I believe there is a restriction that any 2009 playoff team cannot sign any UFA until it trades or releases one of their own. So, just because the Patriots might have a load of cashing burning in their pockets, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will gobble up all the FAs (unless they don’t make the playoffs). Anyway, thanks for making the post, Shake.
by Ironwind on May 28, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the stuff I found online said 5 or more seasons for UFA
but I’ve still got a copy of the CBA off the players association website on my laptop somewhere, I’ll check it.
by shake n bake on May 28, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really don't want an uncapped NFL.
Although the spendmiesters are probably licking their chops, we don’t need the lopsided money between teams, like in MLB. I have enjoyed the parity of the league.
by coltsfanawalt on May 28, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
John Clayton has an article up
on the same topic. Heres what he wrote on the free agency restrictions for playoff teams
The four teams that participate in the conference championship games will not be able to sign an unrestricted free agent until they lose a player in free agency. If those teams lose a player, they can enter the market to find a replacement. There are further limitations on the next four postseason teams, those that participate in the divisional playoff round.
by MARVININDY on May 29, 2009 6:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Very interesting.
I guess when we win the super bowl, we will be jumping hrough more hoops than other teams this next offseason.
by coltsfanawalt on Jun 1, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now that's the kind of optimism
I love to hear.
Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.
Man, I need a life...
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This is what happens when you don't follow the rules...
by Cassieper on Jun 1, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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