NFL will hold first ever veteran free-agent combine

The NFL plans to hold the first ever veteran free agent combine.

It seems that veteran free agents in the NFL will have a chance to showcase what they can still do for teams to possibly earn a contract. The NFL sent out a memo today stating that they will hold its first ever veteran free-agent combine on March 22 at the Arizona Cardinals facility.

Apparently there is already a website in place for players to sign up for the combine. It just asks for a players basic info, who they played for the past season, and also a $400 sign up fee.

Veteran free-agents have been allowed at regional rookie combines in recent years, but this will an entire combine just for veteran free agents. It will give the players a chance to go through the same drills as the rookies go through at the scouting combine, so they can showcase they’re physical abilities and what they can still bring to an NFL team.

It will also give the teams a first-hand look at what these free agents can still do before trying to negotiate a contract with them.

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Some people may see the date of the combine and think it’s a bit odd. The date for the combine is March 22, while the NFL free-agency market is set to open at 4 P.M. on March 10. You would think that they would schedule the combine before free agency opens.

However, it really won’t make that much of a difference.

High-profile and big name free agents won’t need to attend this combine. Players such as Ndamukong Suh won’t need a workout to show teams what they can do, it’s already known to everyone what they bring to the table. Plus, I’m sure their agents would advise against going to the combine and risking injury.

This combine is meant more for veteran free agents possibly at the ends of their careers looking for one last shot, as well as the lower-tier free agents fighting for a roster spot.

One thing that I immediately wondered about was the possibility of undrafted free agents attending this combine. I’m not entirely sure what the restrictions for the scouting combine and this new veteran combine would be, but I’m sure there are older undrafted free-agents that are not permitted to attend the scouting combine any longer. This new combine could give them a chance to showcase their abilities as well.

Not an entirely bad idea by the NFL.