NFL legal tampering period: Biggest players whose futures remain uncertain
The NFL free agency period doesn't begin until March 15, but the NFL legal tampering period starts now. WIth a host of free agents looking to get their futures sorted, it will be a fast-paced few days for NFL players.
So, what about those who will get neither? Will they have to wait until the opening of free agency to even begin talking to other teams about a potential move?
The answer is - no, thanks to an NFL rule that allows teams to speak with unrestricted free agents. Teams are not allowed to enter discussions with players currently on another roster due to tampering rules, but once a certain date rolls around, teams are free to do whatever they want.
So what is the legal tampering period? Let's have a look.
What is legal tampering period in NFL?
The legal tampering period is a three-day window in the NFL offseason that is perhaps one of the most exciting times on the calendar. There are generally a whole host of moves that teams will make (or try to) and it can often involve star players switching teams.
Not allowed to talk to unrestricted free agents until the legal tampering date (March 13, it ends on March 15), NFL teams have to bide their time and wait for the 'window' to open. When it does, a flurry of activity usually follows. This leads to many unrestricted free agents to swap teams rather easily as contracts can be sorted out prior to the official free agency period opening.
When does the legal tampering period start in 2023?
The legal tampering period starts on March 13 at 12:00 PM and is only for unrestricted free agents. Seeing as these players are still under contract until the new league year begins on March 15, unrestricted free agents can begin discussions with other teams (not face to face though). They will do so in the hope of securing a new deal.
NFL Free-agency "legal tampering" period starts in 24-hours. https://t.co/B3Cc6PR6Ru
In short, players and a new team can verbally agree on every detail of the contract, but can't officially sign that deal until the NFL free agency window opens.
5 players whose futures could be altered in legal tampering period
#5 - Dalton Schultz
The Dallas Cowboys tight end is likely to be one of the most sought-after free agents in the NFL legal tampering window. With so many teams needing a pass-catching tight end, Schultz fits the bill.
DALTON SCHULTZ 
DAK PRESCOTT ➡️ DALTON SCHULTZ 🎯
Cowboys lead!
(via @NFL) https://t.co/neQgLCINFM
With the improvement in Cowboys' rookies in Peyton Hendershot and Jake Ferguson, having Schultz on a top-tier tight-end contract doesn't make sense for Dallas.
Expect Schultz's future to be one of the first to be finalized in free agency.
#4 - Lavonte David
The star linebacker from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is up for a new contract. However, his age might be the most concerning part of any potential deal.
Being 33 years old, the veteran will probably suit a Super Bowl contender and it is likely that they could get him on the cheap as well.
Update: #Buccaneers captain LB Lavonte Davis is unlikely to return to the Bucs for another season and will test free-agency, according to @RapSheet
A return to Tampa "will be challenging." https://t.co/VYQuWYGGn8
Several teams will likely be interested in his services and he could be the perfect top-up player for a contender.
#3 - Jessie Bates III
The star Bengals safety is rumored to be one of the hottest free agents on the market. The 25-year-old is thought to be highly sought-after by the Atlanta Falcons and will garner plenty of interest from other NFL teams.
There is a lot of buzz right now around the Atlanta #Falcons targeting a big-name safety, per @DanGrazianoESPN.
👀👀👀
Atlanta has been linked to #Bengals Jessie Bates III.
Just where he will land is anyone's guess, but there will be no shortage of suitors for the Bengals star.
#2 - Dalvin Tomlinson
The Vikings' defensive run-stopper is up for free agency this offseason after coming to the end of his two-year deal with Minnesota.
I think the FA id like the #Raiders to land most in this class is DT Dalvin Tomlinson
Solidify the interior for the first time in years, get Maxx the help he needs. https://t.co/q7rQI8GQLv
At the time of writing, it is unknown if the Vikings will agree to a new deal with the 28-year-old, but there are a host of teams who could do with a stud run-stopper.
#1 - Leighton Vander Esch
The 'Wolf Hunter' had a superb season for the Cowboys and playing on a one-year, $2 million deal, he more than outplayed that. Now an unrestricted free agent, there is sure to be a host of teams after the star linebacker.
Dallas’ key unrestricted free agents this winter: TE Dalton Schultz, RB Tony Pollard, S Donovan Wilson, LB Leighton Vander Esch, G Connor McGovern, CB Anthony Brown, QB Cooper Rush, LB Anthony Barr, DE Dante Fowler, WR Noah Brown, WR TY Hilton, DT Johnathan Hankins.
Whether Jerry Jones wants to pay the going rate for linebackers (around $8 million a year) is unknown. But Vander Esch proved himself to be a star in the NFL and Dallas could do with his services in the long term. But so could other teams as well.