Patriots Plan: How NFL's 'Legal Tampering' Affects New England

Led by Jakobi Meyers and Jonathan Jones, the New England Patriots have 14 unrestricted free agents as the NFL's "legal tampering" period begins Monday.

Richie Whitt | Mar 13, 2023

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New England Patriots

Let the (pre) games begin.

At Noon Monday the NFL opens its free-agent negotiating window known, peculiarly, as "legal tampering." It's an oxymoron, not unlike "jumbo shrimp". But it's also one of the most important times on the league's calendar.

Consider the dawn of last season (2022) becoming this season (2023), when teams can officially begin negotiating with other teams' unrestricted free agents. No contracts can be finalized, but from today through 4 p.m. Wednesday they can be negotiated.

It's annually a busy, crazy day in the NFL.

In 2015, the New York Jets were found guilty of tampering with New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis before signing him. They were fined $100,000. In 2019 Trent Brown left the Pats just nine minutes into the tampering window, signing with the Raiders. And last year, of course, the Miami Dolphins were hit with a massive penalty for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton: first- and third-round draft picks.

This year the Patriots enter with approximately $31 million in salary-cap space and - because they chose not to use the franchise tag - 14 players to protect ... or set free.

In recent days the Pats have re-signed complimentary players such as offensive lineman James Ferentz and linebacker Raekown McMillan, but lost safety and captain Devin McCourty to retirement.

Their most important players are leading receiver Jakobi Meyers and play-making cornerback Jonathan Jones, both of which are likely to be courted by other teams.

A look at New England's unrestricted free agents:

Jakobi Meyers, WR

Nelson Aghohlor, WR

Isaiah Wynn, OT

Marcus Cannon, OT

Damien Harris, RB

Joe Cardona, LS

P Michael Palardy

Carl Davis Jr., DT

Daniel Ekuale, DT

Mack Wilson, LB

Jonathan Jones, CB