When does 2022 NFL free agency start?

The first opportunity for NFL teams to get better next year is when free agency commences.

Though it is nowhere near as important as winning in the draft, NFL free agency has long been one of the most popular times in the sport.

Modern NFL free agency came into play in the early 1990s with the dawn of the salary cap. It gave players more leverage to take charge of their own careers beginning in their mid-to-late 20s. While winning in free agency is not indicative of winning on the gridiron, it is a time when bad teams or fanbases who are losing hope can feel good about their teams heading into the spring.

So when does 2022 NFL free agency officially begin? At 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 16. There is also a two-day window prior where teams can legally tamper with soon-to-be free agents and their representation, though no deal can be finalized until the new league year.

2022 NFL free agency: When does free agency start?

Once the clock strikes 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 16, teams and fanbases can officially announce deals that might have been agreed upon in the days leading up to it. As with anything, there are waves with this. Look for teams with ample salary cap space to spend a small fortune on players whose former teams were not all that keen on bringing them back on another contract.

One reason bad teams usually have a ton of cap space is that they have drafted horribly. Losing players for whatever reason before their rookie contract runs its course is a great way to have some extra cap space. Though next year’s Super Bowl champion will get a piece or two in free agency, once again, winning teams build through the draft. But hey, garage sale-ing is a ton of fun!

May one team’s trash be another team’s treasure, as 2022 NFL free agency will be here very soon.