NFL 2026 Club Proposals Released Ahead of Annual Meeting

The NFL has released its 2026 club proposals ahead of the annual league meeting, and there are a few notable items on the table. One proposal would make permanent the ability for teams to have limited direct video or phone contact with unrestricted free agents during the negotiation window, while the other would expand how far into the future draft picks can be traded. Below is the full formatted copy from the league document.

NFL 2026 Annual Meeting – Club Proposals

March 18, 2026

2026 Club Resolution Proposals Summary

By Pittsburgh; to make permanent the change implemented during the 2025 season that permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period, and to permit clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.

By Cleveland; to allow draft selections to be traded up to five (5) seasons in the future.

*Please note, there are no club playing rule or bylaw proposals.

March 18, 2026

2026 RESOLUTION

Whereas, the Two-Day Negotiation Period permits clubs to contact the certified agents of players who will be Unrestricted Free Agents at the end of the current League Year and enter into contract negotiations with them, and

Whereas, all clubs may negotiate all aspects of an NFL Player Contract with the certified agent of any prospective Unrestricted Free Agent, and

Whereas, a prospective Unrestricted Free Agent cannot visit a club (other than his current club) at its permanent facility or at any other location, and no direct contact is permitted between the player and any employee or representative of a club (other than his current club), and

Whereas, a new club may not execute an NFL Player Contract with a prospective Unrestricted Free Agent, or submit one to the League office, until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the first day of the new League Year, when the player’s current contract expires, and

Whereas, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“Unrepresented Player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office personnel regarding the player’s prospective employment with the new club upon expiration of his current contract, and

Whereas, the Unrepresented Player and the new club may enter into contract negotiations during this period, but may not execute a contract until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the first day of the new League Year, when the player’s current contract expires, and

Whereas, the Unrepresented Player is not permitted to communicate directly or indirectly with any member of the new club’s coaching staff, its player personnel department, or with any club employee whose primary responsibilities do not include the negotiation of player contracts. This prohibition applies regardless of which party attempts to initiate communication — whether in person, by email, by text, or by any other means, and

Whereas, a club (other than the player’s current club) may not discuss or make any travel arrangements with a prospective Unrestricted Free Agent, his certified agent, or anyone else associated with the player until the expiration of the player’s contract at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the first day of the new League Year.

March 18, 2026

Be it Resolved, that the Two-Day Negotiation Period be revised as follows:

1. During the two-day negotiation period, a club may conduct one video or phone call for no longer than one hour with no more than five (5) prospective unrestricted free agents. The player’s agent must be a participant of the call.
2. During the one permitted video or phone call:
   1. A Represented Player or Unrepresented Player is permitted to communicate with any member of the club.
   2. For any other contact with the club, an Unrepresented Player is not permitted to communicate directly or indirectly with any member of the new club’s coaching staff, its player personnel department, or with any club employee whose primary responsibilities do not include the negotiation of player contracts. This prohibition applies regardless of which party attempts to initiate communication — whether in person, by email, by text, or by any other means.
3. Upon conclusion of a such a call, the club must report the following details of the call to the NFL Player Personnel Department: Date, Start Time, End Time, Call Type, Player Attended, Agent Name Attended, and Club Personnel Attended.
4. Although a contract has not been signed, a club (other than the player’s current club) that has agreed to terms with a player, may discuss and make travel arrangements for a prospective Unrestricted Free Agent to travel to its home city. Travel arranged or paid for by the club cannot occur until the expiration of the player’s contract at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the first day of the new League Year.

Prior to making travel arrangements, the club must report to the NFL Player Personnel Department that it has agreed to terms with the player and will begin arranging travel.

Submitted by Pittsburgh

Effect: Makes permanent the change implemented during the 2025 season that permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period. Permits clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.

Reason: Competitively fairer.

March 18, 2026

2026 RESOLUTION

Whereas, pursuant to Article XVI, Section 16.6, of the National Football League Constitution and Bylaws, trades for past, future, or nominal consideration are prohibited.

Whereas, among other items or devices that may cause a trade to be rejected or constituting nominal consideration are those involving draft choices in selection meetings more than three (3) seasons in the future, and

Whereas, Clubs operate under strategic plans that extend beyond three (3) seasons. These strategies are supported by accessto modern data and advanced modeling tools which enable Clubs to forecast roster decisions, and

Whereas, allowing the trading of draft choices more than three (3) seasons in the future 1) would provide Clubs with greater roster-building flexibility, 2) would create more creative trade structures that better mirror the valuations of both draft selections and players, 3) would increase the liquidity of draft capital which supports league-wide parity, 4) would improve alignment with contract and salary cap cycles, and 5) would encourage a more active trade market.

Be it Resolved, that the definition of Nominal Consideration be revised in part as follows:

Among other items or devices that may cause a trade to be rejected or constituting nominal consideration are those involving draft choices in selection meetings more than three five seasons in the future.

Submitted by Cleveland Browns – NFL

Effect: Allows draft selections to be traded up to five (5) seasons in the future.

Reason: Provides Clubs with greater roster-building flexibility by expanding the range of future draft assets available for trade.

March 18, 2026

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