The New York Jets will have a hard time signing free agents this spring.No it has nothing to do with how people may feel about playing in New York; instead it has everything to do with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is coming to an end this year.
The NFL owners and players are working on a new agreement, with the hope of preventing an uncapped year in 2010, and preventing a possible work stoppage in 2011.
According to the Star Ledger: "The final eight playoff teams can’t sign an unrestricted free agent unless they lose one themselves, and the money has to match, much like in NBA trades. That player must have an expired contract and be in the league six or more years.
"Also, more than 200 players that would’ve been unrestricted free agents, such as Jets WR Braylon Edwards and RB Leon Washington, will be restricted free agents under the current CBA.
"However, if a veteran player gets cut by a team, he can be signed by any team on the open market ."
In short the Jets will be unable to sign any unrestricted free agents this year, unless they are willing to part with some of their current roster, or that targeted player is cut. If the CBA is worked out by March 5, then there is a chance that the off-season can be salvaged for the Jets, and the other playoff teams from this season.
With a new CBA in place, it should allow the Jets to sign whomever they want without having to cut people. If however, the deal is not worked out by March 5, the rules above would go into affect for 2010.
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