Before each season, the NFL`s free agency period begins with a two-step process. Teams have 48 hours to reach potential players and enter into negotiations within a «legal window of manipulation.» From there, free agency starts and teams can sign contracts. March 9: The Cowboys send a new contract extension proposal to quarterback Dak Prescott «in hopes of starting serious discussions leading to a multi-year contract,» according to ESPN. While March 18, the start of the league`s 2020 year, is the official start of NFL free agency, the unofficial but true start of free agency is the period of legal manipulation, which begins on March 16. Here are the important things to keep in mind regarding legal manipulation: K.C. currently has about $18.4 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. This figure does not take into account franchise label, club options or exclusive rights offers. During the legal manipulation phase, the Chiefs would be well advised to consider replacement options for several players who go to free agency. On the defensive side of the ball, they could look at linebackers and cornerbacks.

On offense, they could try to add depth to any number of positions. Welcome to the unofficial start of 2021. The NFL league`s year doesn`t officially change until Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, but starting today at 12:00 p.m. ET, the league enters the oddly named «legal manipulation phase» of the free agency. While a new contract cannot be executed in the coming days, agents and teams can discuss transactions and reach an informal agreement. There are rules on the period of legal manipulation. Players are not allowed to visit or talk to teams. Period. There are no phone calls with the players of the teams. Only team representatives and agents are allowed to speak. And talking is all that can happen.

Numbers can be exchanged and a verbal agreement can be reached informally, but nothing official can be agreed, announced or signed until 4 p.m. ET on March 17. March 1: The Bengals «currently plan to target wide receiver A.J. Green,» according to ESPN. Cincinnati wants to pair him on the team in 2020, possibly with Joe Burrow, if QB is selected with the No. 1 overall pick. The period of legal manipulation of the NFL is officially underway. At this point, clubs can talk to aspiring free agents, discuss terms and make a verbal deal on a deal that will become official when the league`s new year begins Wednesday. Day 1 of this period of the NFL calendar was certainly hectic and seemed to offer as many transactions as signings.

IYER: He`s too young and too prolific as the best passer (8 sacks in 2019) to run. If they can`t come up with a long-term deal in the short term, it`s valued at just over $19 million for 2020. The legal manipulation period is essentially a two-day window during which teams can communicate and negotiate with the free agent representative. This time plays a big role in the spectacle that is NFL free agency. It will also help determine where some of the biggest free agents will end up in the league. Led by Brady, quarterbacks are the biggest dominoes of the 2020 NFL Free Agency. While Drew Brees is expected to sign with the Saints, Philip Rivers will not return to the Chargers. Dak Prescott is expected to be marked by the Cowboys, but Ryan Tannehill and Jamie`s Winston are expected to hit the open market.

Even a QB who is not a free agent, Cam Newton, could be on the trajectory of the trade. This is your open thread after the first day of the legal manipulation period. It will be updated during the procedure. Please place any credible news or reports you find in the comments below. There are many different NFL rules on what exactly legal manipulation means. Here`s a look at the things teams can and can`t do. I mean, does that require a lot of explanation? Not only did the Texans fire one of the game`s best receivers, DeAndre Hopkins, but they also took over running back David Johnson`s entire contract, which includes a $20 million cap over the next two seasons. Ouch.

Johnson, meanwhile, was demoted midway through last season after looking like an empty shell. Sure, he was fantastic in his second season in 2016, when he ran for over 2,000 yards of scrimmage, but between then and now, a lot has changed for the 28-year-old. Absorbing Johnson and everything that comes with him seems pretty stupid, especially when it comes to the price of walking away from Hopkins. Houston also doesn`t have a first-round pick yet. Now official: The 2020 NFL league year starts on time. They informed the teams in a memo that the schedule is set. The tags are therefore due tomorrow at 11:59, the manipulation begins at noon, the league year begins Wednesday at 16h. It will be an escape. The Dolphins entered this phase of legal manipulation with the largest amount of dough they could spend in the NFL, and that`s how they behave.

Miami seems to be using that money to tackle defense and bring some star power. The biggest fish they`ve caught so far is the former Cowboys corner Byron Jones, which they`ve now made the highest-paying corner in the entire NFL. Jones will play on a five-year contract that is expected to pay him a total of $82.5 million with $57 million in guarantees. Miami also decided to sign former Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy to a four-year, $51 million contract. These are the high-profile moves Miami has made so far, and Brian Flores appears to be cooking a very balanced defense for the foreseeable future. Oh yes, and the Dolphins still have three first-round picks this year to meet their other needs. Don`t sleep in Miami. The league`s start of the year at 4 p.m. ET on March 18 also marks the opening of the 2020 trading period, though trades can be agreed upon (but not processed) before the window opens. While the Arizona Cardinals submitted the blockbuster of the first wave of Day 1 of the legal manipulation period, the Buffalo Bills took over in the evening by reaching a deal with the Minnesota Vikings to get receiver Stefon Diggs.

Buffalo gave up a huge collection of draft picks (first-round pick, fifth-round pick, sixth-round pick, and fourth-round pick in 2021) in exchange for Diggs and a seventh-round pick in 2020, but it`s worth it for a variety of reasons. Diggs, 26, is young and entering the prime of his life. He`s posted a thousand yards in straight seasons and just shot a 2019 season in which he reached a career-high 1,130 yards and 17.9 yards per reception. Not only do the Bills get a talented young pass catcher for quarterback Josh Allen, but he`s also been under the team`s control for some time. He signed a five-year, $72 million contract last offseason and is under contract through the 2023 season. Its cap numbers are also pretty manageable, as they don`t exceed $12 million in the coming years. Filled with several shocking transactions involving top-tier wide receivers and record-breaking contracts, the first day of the NFL`s legal manipulation phase didn`t disappoint. Will Brinson and the Pick Six Superfriends podcast are here to break it all down; Listen below and be sure to subscribe to the NFL`s daily goodness. Below are the top 25 players expected to reach free agency in 2020, courtesy of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer.

Officially described by the NFL as a period during which «clubs will appoint certified agents for players who expire after their player contract expires in 2020 at 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 17, 2020. March to become Unrestricted Free Agents, contact and start contract negotiations,» the period of legal manipulation — not an official name and you`ll also call it a «negotiation window» and a «negotiation period» — is simply a time when teams and agents can start talking about a contract. Tamper violations can lead to serious consequences, including loss of draft picks and NFL fines. Chiefs fans know the harshest consequences. The league cracked down on Kansas City for allegedly manipulating receiver Jeremy Maclin. The NFL`s legal manipulation period begins Monday.