US Edition2026 Bengals Free Agency: Tracking Moves, Reports During Legal Tampering Window
The NFL's two-day legal tampering window allows teams to negotiate with pending free agents before the new league year, reducing secret dealings, officials said.
- On Monday, March 9 at noon ET the NFL opens its negotiation period, running until the new league year starts Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET when deals become official.
- Since 2012 the NFL has allowed a short legal tampering window covering about 0.6% of the year—two and one-third days—to curb secret pre-free-agency deals.
- Negotiations occur between front offices and players' certified agents, as teams cannot contact players directly or allow visits to teams' facilities before free agency.
- Past sanctions include a $250K fine and a fifth-round pick loss for the Falcons after illegal contact with Kirk Cousins, with fines of $250,000 and $50,000.
- Implemented in 2026, the new 2026 one video/phone call rule allows one hour with up to five free agents and the agent, but agreed deals can still be rescinded before rollover, as with edge rusher Randy Gregory in 2022.
15 Articles
15 Articles
2026 Bengals free agency: Tracking moves, reports during legal tampering window
While teams cannot officially announce deals with free agents until Wednesday afternoon, the legal tampering period is now open, giving teams the chance to negotiate with players. Here's what we're hearing about the Bengals' moves.
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The pay window is opening for pending NFL free agents such as cornerback Jamel Dean, offensive tackles Cam Robinson, Braden Smith and Jonah Williams and quarterback Malik Willis. Those players, along with hundreds of others, will reach the end of…
What is ‘legal tampering'? Explaining the prelude to NFL free agency
Ready, set, negotiate multi-million contracts. The NFL’s free agency period opens Monday with a 52-hour legal tampering period ahead of the official start of the new league year Wednesday. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III head the list of high-profile players who will be free to sign a contract with a new team. Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray also will be se…
Free-agent frenzy set to begin for NFL
Ready, set, negotiate multi-million contracts.
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