The Pittsburgh Steelers’ resolution to permanently allow teams to have a video or phone call with up to five free agents during the league’s legal tampering period has been approved by NFL owners. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweeted the approved rule changes, bylaws, and resolutions. The Steelers’ proposal was the only change approved Tuesday that wasn’t implemented by the NFL’s competition committee.
The Steelers originally proposed the resolution last year, and it was approved for a one-year trial basis that took place this offseason. It allows ownership and front office members to get facetime with players they are courting. It also makes it easier to facilitate travel for players who have agreed to sign a contract with a new team.
While there weren’t many reports of teams meeting with players via phone or video during the legal tampering period, it was clearly something that ownership liked and decided to make permanent. Even if it’s not something that’s widespread, it can help in some cases if teams need more assurance before finalizing a deal with a player and should prevent holdups when it comes to getting players into the facility to finalize a contract.
On Sunday, Art Rooney II told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that it helps to get to know a player before signing him to a big contract.
“When you’re signing some of these guys for fairly big money, and you’ve never met them before, it helps to see their face before you make that decision,” Rooney said.
We may hear more in the coming years about teams using their allotted phone calls and video calls. It’s a sensible proposal and with things seemingly going off without a hitch this year, it only made sense to make the rule permanent.
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