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NFL Opens Their 'Legal Tampering' Window and Here's What It Means For the Saints

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By John Hendrix | Last updated Mar 10, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The NFL's Legal Tampering window is open.

In a nutshell, this allows the New Orleans Saints and other teams to enter negotiations with the agents of players who are set to become free agents when the new league year starts at 3 p.m. CT on March 12. A contract cannot be executed until that time.

What Is Legal Tampering?

Negotiation Period. During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 10 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2024 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.

During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“Unrepresented Player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the Head Coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an Unrepresented Player.

We've witnessed a flurry of NFL moves ahead of Wednesday afternoon, and more are expected. In essence, the flood gates are about to open up across the league.

For the Saints, they traded with the Patriots to acquire Davon Godchaux, which is the biggest move for New Orleans as of right now outside of anything in-house. New Orleans has also re-signed Dante Pettis and picked up the ERFA tender on Nephi Sewell.