Woodman
01-26-2023, 10:16 AM
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/26/tampering-in-advance-of-free-agency-is-already-happening/
The recent decision by Buccaneers (for now) quarterback Tom Brady (https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/9951/tom-brady) to get testy on his own podcast in response to a question he wasn’t even asked seemed to be, if nothing else, an effort to keep prying eyes away (https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/24/tom-bradys-response-to-jim-gray-was-a-strange-overreaction/) from the inevitable tampering with Brady that will happen in the coming weeks.
Per a source with knowledge of the current dynamics, tampering already is happening.
And while the tampering process reaches a fever pitch every year at the Scouting Combine, the upcoming Senior Bowl week provides the first opportunity to get everyone in the same place at the same time. Sooner than later, agents for players due to become free agents will know the teams that have interest, in the event the player doesn’t sign a new deal with his current team.
That makes it easier for the agent to map out negotiations with the current team. And even though it’s a violation of the rules for other teams to be talking to the agent, it’s smart for the agent to gather as much information as possible regarding the client’s options.
The recent decision by Buccaneers (for now) quarterback Tom Brady (https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/9951/tom-brady) to get testy on his own podcast in response to a question he wasn’t even asked seemed to be, if nothing else, an effort to keep prying eyes away (https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/24/tom-bradys-response-to-jim-gray-was-a-strange-overreaction/) from the inevitable tampering with Brady that will happen in the coming weeks.
Per a source with knowledge of the current dynamics, tampering already is happening.
And while the tampering process reaches a fever pitch every year at the Scouting Combine, the upcoming Senior Bowl week provides the first opportunity to get everyone in the same place at the same time. Sooner than later, agents for players due to become free agents will know the teams that have interest, in the event the player doesn’t sign a new deal with his current team.
That makes it easier for the agent to map out negotiations with the current team. And even though it’s a violation of the rules for other teams to be talking to the agent, it’s smart for the agent to gather as much information as possible regarding the client’s options.