With the free agency period starting the Bengals have a number of players who are scheduled to become free agents on Wednesday, March 17, the reported date for when the new league year will begin.
There are three main categories these free agents can fall under per the NFL:
Unrestricted free agent (UFA)
Any player with four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract; free to negotiate and sign with any team.
Restricted free agent (RFA)
A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers ("tenders") that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. If the tender is withdrawn by a team, the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Exclusive rights free agent (ERFA)
Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.
The full list of Bengals players scheduled to become free agents is below.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
- Mackensie Alexander
- Randy Bullock
- Josh Bynes
- Cethan Carter
- Christian Covington
- Mike Daniels
- Alex Erickson
- Jordan Evans
- A.J. Green
- Kevin Huber
- Margus Hunt
- William Jackson III
- Carl Lawson
- Samaje Perine
- Alex Redmond
- John Ross III
- LeShaun Sims
- Quinton Spain
- Mike Thomas
- Shawn Williams
- Xavier Williams
- Brandon Wilson
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
- Tony Brown
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
- Amani Bledsoe
