News of the recent deals for free agents such as Jeremy Maclin, Ndamukong Suh and Frank Gore has the NFL on high alert for any impropriety. The league sent a memo to all 32 teams warning them against agreeing to contract terms with a player before the official start of free agency, which begins on Tuesday.
Sunday saw a number of leaks regarding the signings of big-name free agents, including Maclin to the Kansas City Chiefs, Suh to the Miami Dolphins and Gore to the Philadelphia Eagles. Although teams were able to begin recruiting on Saturday, free agents aren't allowed to officially sign with other teams until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Because of the number of leaks regarding contracts being agreed upon, the league is investigating to make sure no rules were broken.
"At this time, the league office is beginning investigations into a number of reporter agreements with clubs. Violations will be dealt with accordingly," the last line of the memo read, according to ESPN.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the league had sent a letter to all 32 teams about the contract leaks.
"The memo makes clear that we will look into any potential violation of the rules," he said Monday.
According to an NFL memo obtained by Pro Football Talk, there're strict - albeit seemingly contradictory - guidelines teams must follow during the three-day negotiation period prior to the start of free agency.
"A team is allowed to submit a written summary of its negotiating position to agents for free agents still under contract with other teams, including length of contract, signing bonus, compensation, and related subjects," Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote Saturday. "...Teams cannot execute contracts with free agents from other teams, submit a draft contract, enter into an express or implied agreement or make any promises about the terms that would be available once the free-agency period opens, or provide assurances of intent as to the future execution of a contract."
Any violation of the rules could be considered conduct detrimental to the league, the memo said. Read the full breakdown of the memo HERE.
