NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 11
Transition Rules


Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the following rules shall apply. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Article and the provisions of any other Article in this Agreement, the provisions of this Article shall take precedence.

  • Section 1. Applicability
  • Section 2. Additional Salary Cap Room
    (a)

    For the 2021 League Year only, and only if the League elects to play seventeen (17) regular season games in that year, and only if the 2021 Player Cost Amount is less than 48.5% of Projected AR for the 2021 League Year, each Club may elect to receive a credit to Team Salary not to exceed: (1) the difference between: (a) a baseline Player Cost Amount calculated at 48.5% of Projected AR for the 2021 League Year; and (b) the Player Cost Amount for the 2021 League Year (if lower); divided by (2) the number of Clubs in the League. Clubs will be notified of the credit amount, if any, upon the finalization of the Salary Cap for the 2021 League Year. No credit would be applicable if the 2021 Player Cost Amount exceeds 48.5% of Projected AR for the 2021 League Year.

    (b)

    The amount of any such credit to Team Salary in the 2021 League Year shall be offset by an equivalent charge to Team Salary, spread over the 2024–27 League Years in a manner to be determined by the Club. (By way of example, if Club A elects to receive a “credit” to Team Salary for the 2021 League Year of $2,000,000 (i.e., an additional $2,000,000 of Room), Club A may designate $2,000,000 to be offset in the 2024 League Year, or $1,000,000 in the 2025 League Year and $1,000,000 in the 2026 League Year, or in any other manner to be designated by Club A to offset the 2021 League Year Team Salary credit.)

    (c)

    Each Club’s claim of such credit, if any, shall be made by written notice to the NFL prior to the beginning of the 2021 League Year. Additional Room shall become effective upon receipt by the NFL of such notice. The NFL shall promptly forward such notices to the NFLPA. Clubs shall identify in writing to the NFL prior to the beginning of each of the 2024–27 League Years the amount of any offset that shall apply for such League Year. If a Club has not identified its entire offset as of the first day of the 2026 League Year, then the remaining offset balance shall apply in the 2027 League Year.

  • Section 3. Preexisting Contract Roster Provisions
    (a)

    Any NFL Player Contract executed prior to the effective date of this Agreement that contains a reference to the 46-man Active List shall automatically be superseded by Article 25 of this Agreement and amended to reference the game day Active List applicable under this Agreement.

    (b)

    Any NFL Player Contract executed prior to the effective date of this Agreement that contains a reference to the 53-man game day Active/Inactive List shall automatically be superseded by Article 25 of this Agreement and amended to reference game day Active/Inactive List applicable under this Agreement.

  • Section 4. 2020 League Year Calendar
    (a)

    The 2020 League Year shall begin on March 18, 2020 at 4:00pm New York time.

    (b)

    Any Club with a new head coach may begin its offseason workout program for the 2020 League Year on April 6, 2020. All other Clubs may begin offseason workout programs for the 2020 League Year on April 20, 2020.

    (c)

    The last day of the Restricted Signing Period for the 2020 League Year is April 17, 2020.

    (d)

    The last day to match Offer Sheets for Restricted Free Agents for the 2020 League Year is April 22, 2020.