Everything you need to know about the NFL's legal tampering period

Despite a request by the league, the NFLPA declined to allow the new NFL league year to be pushed back due to the coronavirus situation.

So now with the CBA vote approved and business moving forward, that means the 2020 league year, including unrestricted free agency, will begin on Wednesday at 4 p.m. EDT. Teams will be allowed to negotiate deals with pending unrestricted free agents beginning Monday at 12 p.m., otherwise known as the "legal tampering period," because players are still under contract their old clubs and other teams wouldn't normally be allowed to speak with their agents while that's the case.

So what exactly does that mean?

Here are all the important details you need to know:

When does the legal tampered period begin and end?

• From Monday, March 16 at 12 p.m. until Wednesday, March 18 at 4 p.m. eastern time.

What is allowed during this time period?

• Teams can speak to the agents of players on other teams scheduled to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs). They are allowed to negotiate all aspects of a contract. 

What is not allowed during this time period?

• Teams may not have any contact with the players directly, only their agent(s). Contracts cannot be signed by players, unless it's with their current team. Also, teams are not allowed to contact the agents for any pending restricted free agents (RFAs), only unrestricted free agents.

What if a player acts as his own agent? Can he speak with other teams during this period?

• No.

Can players agree to deals with teams during this time period?

• Yes, but, as stated, they can't actually sign a contract with a new team until 4 p.m. on Wednesday. They can still sign a new contract with their current team during this period, thus not becoming an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.

What happens when the legal tampering period ends?

• On Wednesday, March 18 at 4 p.m. EDT, all teams are allowed to speak to all unrestricted and restricted free agents from other clubs. They are also allowed to sign those players to contracts. Normally, players can also begin visiting other teams' cities once this period opens. However, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the league is not allowing any players to make any visits.