Please explain waiver wire

[DunkCityFan]

Okay, I googled all over for this and still don't understand. A ton of players are on the waiver wire this week. Do the Chiefs get first crack at all of them or do they just get first crack in a draft style system? If the former, then they essentially get their pick(s) and then there is a trickle down. Or do they do it like a draft, Chiefs are first until they pick then #2, etc. Just curious.

[Dr. Lecter]

I think KC has first crack at all guys

[SquishDaFish]

The Waiver Wire works like this:

Team A signs Player X to a contract
Player X makes the roster and is on the team during the regular season
Team A decides it no longer wants Plaer X on its roster
Team A terminates the players contract, releasing him from his duties
Before Player X becomes a free agent, he hits the Waiver Wire
When his name goes on the waiver wire, every team in the NFL has the option to pick up the players original contract (the one Player X originally signed with Team A)
The Waiver Wire is like the NFL Draft in that teams with the worst records get first crack at the players who have been released
Once a team passes on the player then they cannot go back and claim him
If no team signs the player, then he becomes an unrestrictd free agent.

[SquishDaFish]

Section 1. Release:
(a) Whenever a player who has finished the season in which his fourth year of credited service has been earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Plan is placed on waivers between February 1 and the trading deadline, his contract will be considered terminated and the player will be completely free at any time thereafter to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with any Club, and any Club shall be completely free to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with such player, without penalty or restriction, including, but not limited to, Draft Choice Compensation between Clubs or First Refusal Rights of any kind, or any signing period. If the waivers occur after that time, the player’s Player Contract will be subject to the waiver system and may be awarded to a claiming Club. However, if such player is claimed and awarded, he shall have the option to declare himself an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of the League Year in question if he has a no-trade clause in his Player Contract. If such player does not have a no-trade clause and the Player Contract being awarded through waivers covers more than one additional season, the player shall have the right to declare himself an Unrestricted Free Agent as set forth above at the end of the League Year following the League Year in which he is waived and awarded.
(b) Whenever a player who has finished less than the season in which his fourth year of credited service has been earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Plan is placed on waivers, the player’s Player Contract will be subject to the waiver system and may be awarded to a claiming Club.

[The Jokeman]

The Waiver Wire works like this:

Team A signs Player X to a contract
Player X makes the roster and is on the team during the regular season
Team A decides it no longer wants Plaer X on its roster
Team A terminates the players contract, releasing him from his duties
Before Player X becomes a free agent, he hits the Waiver Wire
When his name goes on the waiver wire, every team in the NFL has the option to pick up the players original contract (the one Player X originally signed with Team A)
The Waiver Wire is like the NFL Draft in that teams with the worst records get first crack at the players who have been released
Once a team passes on the player then they cannot go back and claim him
If no team signs the player, then he becomes an unrestrictd free agent.


I think he was asking more if the Chiefs have first dibs on every player cut or if they elect to claim someone does that mean the next guy cut would allow Jags top priority since the Chiefs already claimed someone and so fourth.

[SquishDaFish]

The way I read the second part is they have 1st crack at every player and once they pass it moves on. They can claim them all if they like I believe

[Turf]

I think he was asking more if the Chiefs have first dibs on every player cut or if they elect to claim someone does that mean the next guy cut would allow Jags top priority since the Chiefs already claimed someone and so fourth.

I think they get first crack at every player. Literally, they could take the first twenty over everyone else, and the second place club likewise. Its not like they get their one turn, then club #2 is #1.

[GingerP]

Yeah, KC can claim as many players as they want. They get first dibs.

[DunkCityFan]

Thanks so much. Much to be said for finishing dead last.

[GingerP]

Thanks so much. Much to be said for finishing dead last.

I think it is only for the first 3 weeks, though. After that, the waiver order is reset each week based on this year's records/SOS.

[Thunderlips]

KC would also have to honor the terms of the player's most current contract if the Chiefs claimed a waived player. The contract follows the player until the player passes thru waivers without being claimed. After that, the player has to negotiate a new contract before joining a new team. That salary cap impact sometimes plays a part in deciding to claim a player or not.

[PromoTheRobot]

Section 1. Release:
(a) Whenever a player who has finished the season in which his fourth year of credited service has been earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Plan is placed on waivers between February 1 and the trading deadline, his contract will be considered terminated and the player will be completely free at any time thereafter to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with any Club, and any Club shall be completely free to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with such player, without penalty or restriction, including, but not limited to, Draft Choice Compensation between Clubs or First Refusal Rights of any kind, or any signing period. If the waivers occur after that time, the player’s Player Contract will be subject to the waiver system and may be awarded to a claiming Club. However, if such player is claimed and awarded, he shall have the option to declare himself an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of the League Year in question if he has a no-trade clause in his Player Contract. If such player does not have a no-trade clause and the Player Contract being awarded through waivers covers more than one additional season, the player shall have the right to declare himself an Unrestricted Free Agent as set forth above at the end of the League Year following the League Year in which he is waived and awarded.
(b) Whenever a player who has finished less than the season in which his fourth year of credited service has been earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Plan is placed on waivers, the player’s Player Contract will be subject to the waiver system and may be awarded to a claiming Club.

Waiver order is prior year's draft order. So the Bills would be #8.

PTR