Frequently Asked Questions – Tender and “Final Eight” Rules

Media and avid fans continue to contact league headquarters with questions regarding player personnel rules in an uncapped 2010 season. For example, the Jets announced on Feb. 15 that the team has offered contract tenders to wide receiver-special teamer Brad Smith and safety Eric Smith – both with four credited seasons but who will only be restricted free agents in an uncapped 2010. 

The Jets have 11 restricted free agents this season. The tenders to Smith and Smith give the Jets the right to match any contract offers and, depending on the dollar value of the tender, allow the Jets to receive draft choice compensation if another club signs them.

As one of eight clubs that reached the 2009 Divisional Playoffs, the Jets also are limited in the unrestricted free agent market in the uncapped 2010 season.  Following are some frequently asked questions we have heard recently about the “Final Eight” rule:

Q. Are teams which reached the 2009 NFL Divisional Playoffs able to sign any unrestricted free agents in an uncapped 2010 season?

A. Yes. As per the “Final Eight” rules in an uncapped 2010 season, those eight clubs can sign unrestricted free agents as listed below.  (Note: For all “Final Eight” teams, the unrestricted free agents signed to replace their own lost unrestricted free agents cannot exceed the first year salary — 2010 salary + pro-rated signing bonus – of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases.)

FINAL FOUR CLUBS

Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints – can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Saints can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

AFC champion Indianapolis Colts — can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Colts can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

NFC runner-up Minnesota Vikings — can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Vikings can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

AFC runner-up New York Jets — can sign unrestricted free agents only if they lose unrestricted free agents. Jets can sign the same number of unrestricted free agents as the number of their own unrestricted free agents who signed with other clubs.

FINAL EIGHT CLUBS

AFC Divisional Playoff San Diego Chargers — 1 unrestricted free agent for $5,807,475 or more in Year One of contract + the same number of Chargers unrestricted free agents who sign with other clubs + any unrestricted free agent for less than $3,861,823 in Year One of contract with limitations on per season increases.

AFC Divisional Playoff Baltimore Ravens — 1 unrestricted free agent for $5,807,475 or more in Year One of contract + the same number of Ravens unrestricted free agents who sign with other clubs + any unrestricted free agent for less than $3,861,823 in Year One of contract with limitations on per season increases.

NFC Divisional Playoff Arizona Cardinals — 1 unrestricted free agent for $5,807,475 or more in Year One of contract + the same number of Cardinals unrestricted free agents who sign with other clubs + any unrestricted free agent for less than $3,861,823 in Year One of contract with limitations on per season increases.

NFC Divisional Playoff Dallas Cowboys — 1 unrestricted free agent for $5,807,475 or more in Year One of contract + the same number of Cowboys unrestricted free agents who sign with other clubs + any unrestricted free agent for less than $3,861,823 in Year One of contract with limitations on per season increases.

Q. Can an unrestricted free agent be signed by one club and traded to a “Final Eight” club to circumvent the “Final Eight” rules? 

A. No. A “final eight” team can’t use another team as a pass-through to sign a player it would otherwise be prohibited from signing. For example, if one of the 24 clubs which did not reach the Divisional Playoffs signs an unrestricted free agent, that club can’t trade him to New Orleans unless the Saints also lost an unrestricted free agent who had a Year One salary of equal or greater value than the player acquired in the trade.  In addition, the contract of the player acquired via trade would also have to comply with the yearly contract increase limitation. 

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