Contract Rules 2024 — Associated Fantasy

Quick Reference

The Quick Reference tabs contain excerpted sections of relevant Contract Rules, organized by subject; Full Rules are below

2024 Rules Revisions are indicated by green and magenta; two colors were used for contrast with the color coding but there is no other relevance to the text being either green or magenta other than that those rules are revised. In some cases, text is in white, but the entire section has a bright green border; this is to indicate the entire section is new or revised.

General Contract Guidelines

Any player on roster can generally be placed under contract to lock their year to year salary and shield them from offseason Free Agency, BUT
Players DO NOT have to be placed under contract to remain on team's roster
Contract Cap = 30 Years - NOT enforced in offseason
Contract length can be of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 years depending on the specific contract, extension, or option
Rule concerning MAX 2 active 5 year contracts HAS BEEN REMOVED; no limit on 5 year contracts
Players can be signed to contract:
- Sping Signing Period - any unsigned player can be signed; RFA and expiring players can be signed to extensions
- Following AFFL Draft but BEFORE the END of Week 1 - For Draft/Draft Waiver Rookie players only
- Fall Contract Period - NFL Rookies acquired in-season only
- During Free Agent Auction - Players acquired at auction only
- Contracts are effective retroactively to the first day of the AFFL season (April 1) when signed and will cycle on the first day of the AFFL season (April 1)
- Standard and Rookie Contracts EXPIRE on March 31 but can be re-signed until the last day of the Spring Signing Period of their expiring year
- Free Agent Contracts expire the day before the auction following the auction in which they were signed

Standard Contracts

STANDARD Contracts can be signed during Spring Signing period each year to any UFA player on team roster not already under contract, tag, or taxi; basic guidelines are below

Players with EXPIRING Free Agent Contracts can be signed to Standard Contract in lieu of a Free Agent Extension; Calculating base Salary for these contracts can be found under Calculating Base Salary for Standard Contracts and Extensions

Players with EXPIRING Rookie Contracts can be signed to Standard Contract in lieu of a Rookie Extension or Option; Calculating base Salary for these contracts can be found under Calculating Base Salary for Standard Contracts and Extensions

II Types of Contracts

Standard Contract

Eligibility: Any Active Roster UFA; Players with an EXPIRING Free Agent Contract (in lieu of FA Extension);Players with an EXPIRING Rookie Contract (in lieu of Rookie Extension or Rookie Option contract
Length: 2, 3, 4, or 5 years
Base Salary:
- Current Season League Formula Salary OR
- Prior Season league Formula Salary (requires signing bonus)
- see Section III Calculating Salary for detailed info)
Guaranteed: 100% of current years, 50% of all future years (Note: this rule is the same as it's always been, but previously Guaranteed money only referred to money over and above this amount)
Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); max 2 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
Franchise Tag: Eligible; can be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract (see Franchise Tag rule)
When Expiring/Expires: can be signed to an Early Standard Extension in RFA year or to Standard Extension in year contract expires (see Section V Contract Extensions)
Early Release: Follows normal early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details
1. Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
2. Early Release in RFA season: owes 100% of salary from season remaining due
3. Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day of any other season: owes 50% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
4. Early Release in season after Cut Day of any other season: owes 100% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons

Standard Extensions

STANDARD Contract extensions can be signed during Spring Signing period each year to any contract player in their RFA year are in their EXPIRING year; basic guidelines are below

V Contract Extensions

Standard EARLY Extensions
- Contracts entering their final year on April 1 (First Day Of Season) become Restricted Free Agents (RFA's); can be shielded from upcoming Free Agency Auction by being re-signed with a Contract Extension
- The Extension is tacked on to end of existing contract and does not affect terms of existing contract's final season
- Standard Early Extension
  1. Eligible Contract Types: Standard Contracts entering their RFA season
  2. Length: 2 or 3 years
  3. Base Salary: LOWEST of: Formula Salary for the highest scoring season under current contract • OR • Current Base Salary + 20%; see Section III Calculating Salary for detailed info
  4. Signing Bonus: None
  5. Guaranteed: 100% of first year, 100% of current years, 50% of all future years (Note: this rule is the same as it's always been, but previously Guaranteed money only referred to money over and above this amount)
  6. Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); max 1 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
  7. Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
  8. Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
  9. Franchise Tag: Eligible; can be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract and in year contract expires(see Franchise Tag rule)
  10. When Expires: Player becomes a UFA and is subject to the Free Agent Auction unless tagged (see Section V Contract Extensions)
  11. Early Release: Follows modified early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details
    1. Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
    2. Early Release prior to Cut Day in offseason prior to start of first season of extension: owes 50% of salary from season cut, owes 100% for scheduled first year of extension due in that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
    3. Early Release after Cut Day in season prior to start of first season of extension: owes 100% of salary from season cut, owes 100% for scheduled first year of extension due in that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
    4. Early Release in offseason or season of first season of extension: owes 100% of salary from that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
    5. Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day in RFA season of extension: owes 100% of salary remaining due
    6. Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day of any other season: owes 50% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
    7. Early Release in season after Cut Day in any othewr season: owes 100% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons

Regular Extensions
1. Contracts EXPIRING on April 1 (Technically do not expire until the last day of the Spring Signing Period) become Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)(non-contract players), but can be shielded from the upcoming Free Agency Auction by being re-signed with a Contract Extension
2. Once signed, Extension is continuous to the original contract
  1. Standard (Regular) Extension
    1. Eligible Contract Types: Expiring Standard Contracts
    2. Length: 2 or 3 years
    3. Base Salary: HIGHEST of: Formula Salary for the highest scoring season under current contract • OR • Current Base Salary + 20%; see Section III Calculating Salary for detailed info
    4. Signing Bonus: 10% of Total Extension Value due as a dead money payment at time of signing
    5. Guaranteed: 100% of first year, 100% of current years, 50% of all future years (Note: this rule is the same as it's always been, but previously Guaranteed money only referred to money over and above this amount)
    6. Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); max 1 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
    7. Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
    8. Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
    9. Franchise Tag: Eligible; can be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract and in year contract expires(see Franchise Tag rule)
    10. When Expires: Player becomes a UFA and is subject to the Free Agent Auction unless tagged (see Section V Contract Extensions)
    11. Early Release: Follows modified early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details
      1. Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
      2. Early Release in offseason or season of first season of extension: owes 100% of salary from that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
      3. Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day in RFA season of extension: owes 100% of salary remaining due
      4. Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day of any other season: owes 50% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
      5. Early Release in season after Cut Day in any othewr season: owes 100% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons

Standard Contracts and Extensions (Calculating Base Salary)

III Calculating Salary

Calculating Base Salary for Standard Contracts

For NEW Contracts for UFA's
1. Teams may use EITHER the player's Formula Salary amount from the CURRENT/upcoming season OR their Formula Salary amount from the PRIOR/just ended season as the contract's Base Salary
2. Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts in the season being used to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
3. If Prior Season salary is used as the contract's Base Salary, player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing
For Expiring Free Agent Contracts being signed to a Standard Contract
1. LOWEST OF 90% of player's Formula Salary amount for the current/upcoming season OR the Base Salary +30% from the expiring FA Contract as the new contract's Base Salary
2. Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
3. Player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing
For Expiring Rookie Contracts being signed to a Standard Contract
1. Teams must use HIGHEST of player's Formula Salary amount for the current/upcoming season +30% OR the Base Salary +30% from the expiring Rookie Contract as the new contract's Base Salary, BUT if both calculations are > 500% Lg Min, lowest may be used
2. Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts being used to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
3. Player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 20% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing, waived if Base is > 500% Lg Min

1. Early Standard Extensions
  1. For eligible contracts in their RFA Year
  2. Player is owed no Signing Bonus
  3. Base equals LOWEST OF (Team's Choice)
    - Player's Current BASE SALARY +20% - OR -
    - Formula Salary for player's highest performing season while under contract

1. Standard Extensions
  1. For eligible contracts in expiring year
  2. Player is due a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Extension Value due as dead money payment at time of signing
  3. base Salary equals HIGHEST OF (Player's Choice)
    - Player's Current Base Salary +20%
    - Formula Salary for player's highest performing season while under contract

Contract Free Agency (AUCTION)

VIII Contract Free Agency

Free Agent Auction Guidelines
- Held each summer after the close of the Spring Free Agency Period and before the Fall Re-structure Period
- Conducted by long-running auction (appx 40+ days) on the MyFantasyLeague site
- Players won at auction must be signed to a 1 year Free Agent Contract
- Players available in the Free Agent Auction (Player Pool) limited to:
  - Unrestricted Free Agents
    - Players ON ANY TEAM'S ROSTER but NOT UNDER CONTRACT; designated Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)
  - Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
    - Players ON ANY TEAM'S ROSTER in their FINAL YEAR of CONTRACT; designated Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
  - Exemptions
    - Franchise Tag players
    - Players on Taxi Squad
    - Rookie RFA's - players in the final year of a Rookie Type Contract or Extension
    - Certain other players in rare instances where/when specified by the rules will be shielded from the auction
    - Players from teams not allowed to participate in the auction by league rule will not be included in the eligible player pool
- Budgets
  - Auction budgets will be INDIVIDUAL to each team
  - Budgets are by formula:
  - (Team's FULL Salary Cap Space) MINUS (10%) MINUS (League Minimum Salary x Team's number of draft picks in Upcoming Draft)
- Nominations
  - Minimum Opening Bid (MOB)
    - Nominations must be made in the amount of the player's Minimum Opening Bid (MOB) or greater
    - MOB for UFA's will be an amount equal to their Current League Formula Salary + 10%
    - MOB for RFA's will their scheduled current season salary under their final contract year +10%
    - MOB for all players in the player pool will be published prior to auction start
  - All participating teams will have nominating powers
  - Any player in the player pool can be nominated by any participating team at any point in the auction
  - There are no limits on the number of nominations a team may make, simultaneously or otherwise, and no order in which teams must make their nominations, and no limit on the number of active nominations made by any franchise
  - Any nomination of a player will be considered an "Opening Bid" for that player and is a BINDING BID
  - Nomination starts a 120 hour (5 day) timer on each individual player auction
  - Nominations not allowed beyond 40th day of auction
- Bidding Guidelines
  - All bids are binding until outbid
  - Bids are made in ANY increment of $500,000 above previous bid, OR MOB or any increments of $500,000 above that
  - Each bid resets the individual bid timer on the individual player auction to a new 120 hours (5 days)
  - Beyond Day 40 of auction, bid timer will be shortened at commissioner's discretion
  - Teams cannot bid on their own UFA's
  - Teams cannot bid on their own RFA's
  - Players that are not bid on will return to their original teams

- - High Bids - Acquiring Player
    - Unrestricted Free Agents
      - Team with the high bid will own the rights to UFA
      - Player must be signed to Free Agent Contract
      - Amount of High Bid is Base Salary for contract
    - Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
      - Team with the High Bid will negotiate with contract owner for the rights to RFA
      - High Bid Team will offer amount of High Bid to player WITH Draft Pick Compensation according to compensation chart
      - Contract Owner will have 72 hours to MATCH High Bid or RELEASE player to High Bid Team in exchange for Draft Pick Compensation
      - If Contract Owner matches High Bid, High Bid Team will have 48 hours to increase their original High bid (Compensation remains) with ONE FINAL HIGH OFFER
      - Contract Owner will AGAIN have 72 hours to MATCH the High Bid or RELEASE player to the negotiating team for Draft Pick Compensation (see below)
      - If high bid is matched and original contract owner retains rights to player, final year of player's existing contract is canceled and player must be signed to a Free Agent Contract free and clear from any remaining commitments from original contract and High Bidding Team is free and clear
      - If player is released to negotiating team, final year of player's existing contract is canceled and player must be signed to a Free Agent Contract free and clear from any remaining commitments from original contract and original Contract owner is Compensated with relevant Draft Pick
      - Highest relevant offer will be used as the Base Salary for the contract for whichever team retains/acquires rights to player
  - Draft Pick Compensation
    - Individual RFA Draft Pick Compensation is based on the FINAL HIGH BID of player's individual auction in comparison with the Current League Minimum Salary (scale of 100's% : <200%, 2-300%, 3-400%, 4-550%, 550-700%, >700%)
    - 2024 RFA COMPENSATION SCALE
      - </=$10.8m -Comp=6th/6th+7th
      - $10.81m-$16.2m -Comp=5th/5th+7th
      - $16.21m-$21.6m -Comp=4th/4th+6th
      - $21.61m-$29.7m -Comp=3rd/3rd+5th
      - $29.71m-$37.8m -Comp=2nd/2nd+4th
      - >$37.8m -Comp=1st/1st+3rd

Free Agent Contracts

This section deals with the contracts that all players won atr auction must be signed to

II Types of Contracts

NOTE: "eligible bonuses" in this section refers to optional bonuses and does not preclude other, unspecified bonuses from being attached by rule and does not refer to Cap Bonuses for which all players are eligible

Free Agent Contracts

Players acquired in Spring Free Agency MUST be signed to a Free Agent Contract
- Only those players acquired through Spring Free Agency are elligible to be placed under a Free Agent Contract
- Contract signed upon acquisition
Length: 1 Year
Base Salary: equal to final acquisition bid (high/winning bid)
Guaranteed: 100%
Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: cannot be structured
Restructures: cannot be restructured
Franchise Tag: cannot be placed under the Franchise Tag in contract season or in season contract expires
Early Release:Player CANNOT BE CUT in contract season
When Expiring/Expires: In year contract expires, MUST BE either Signed to an FA EXTENSION, STANDARD CONTRACT, or RELEASED (straight to draft pool at end of Spring Signing, bypassing Auction, no charges)
see Section VIII Contract Free Agency for more info

Free Agent Extensions

V Contract Extensions

NOTE: Players under an Expiring Free Agent Contract can be signed to EITHER a Free Agent Extension or a NEW Standard Contract; see Calculating Standard Contracts for pricing details

Free Agent Extension
1. Eligible Contract Types: Expiring Free Agent Contracts
2. Length: 1 Year
3. Base Salary Calculation: Base Salary Equal to Current Base Salary +15%
4. Signing Bonus: none
5. Guaranteed Money: 100% Guaranteed
6. Eligible Bonuses: An Up-Front Bonus may be attached under relevant bonus guidelines at time of signing
7. Franchise Tag: Cannot be tagged
8. In RFA Season: Player is shielded from the Free Agent Auction
9. Other Guidelines: Follows all other relevant Free Agent guidelines
10. Early Release: Player cannot be cut while under contract
11. When Extension Expires:Player becomes a UFA and enters Free Agent Auction

Rookies (General Guide)

NFL Rookies
- NFL Rookie Players acquired in the AFFL Draft OR Through Draft Waivers CAN BE:
  - Kept on Roster as UFA for their Draft/Draft Waiver Salary; can then be signed following season to a Standard Contract under their Rookie Salary or their Spring League Formula Salary
  - OR
  - Can be signed to Rookie Contract at their Draft/Draft Waiver Salary
  - OR
  - Can be placed onto Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B) for 1 year; salary will be League Minimum, when term ends, can be cut, extended, or promoted by signing to Standard Contract at original Rookie Salary
  - OR
  - Can be placed onto Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B) for 2 years; salary will be League Minimum, paid in each year, when term ends, can be cut, extended or promoted by signing to Standard Contract at LOWEST of original Rookie Salary or highest League Formula Salary earned while on TAXI
  - OR
  - Can be placed under Rookie Contract AND THEN placed onto Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B) (1 year only), immediately pausing terms of contract
  - OR
  - Can be placed onto TAXI-A (ACTIVE TAXI); Taxi guidelines apply under Rookie's Salary
- NFL Rookie Players acquired during the AFFL Regular Season CAN BE:
  - Kept on Roster as UFA for their Rookie Salary; can then be signed following season to a Standard Contract under their Rookie Salary or their Spring League Formula Salary
  - OR
  - Can be signed to Rookie Contract at their Rookie Salary during Fall Contract Period (retroactive to April 1)
  - OR
  - Can be placed onto Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B) during Fall Contract period for 1 year; salary will be League Minimum, when term ends, can be cut, extended, or promoted by signing to Standard Contract at original Rookie Salary (retroactive to April 1
  - OR
  - Can be placed onto Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B) for 2 years; salary will be League Minimum, paid in each year, when term ends, can be cut, extended or promoted by signing to Standard Contract at LOWEST of original Rookie Salary or highest League Formula Salary earned while on TAXI
  - OR
  - Can be placed under Rookie Contract AND THEN placed onto Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B) (1 year only), immediately pausing terms of contract

Rookie Contracts

II Types of Contracts

NFL Rookies acquired via AFFL draft or draft waiver can be signed to Rookie Contracts before the start of week 2; NFL Rookies acquired in the regular season can be signed to Rookie Contract during the Fall Contract Period

Rookie Contracts

NFL Rookie Players acquired in their rookie year are eligible for a Rookie Contract
1. NFL rookies DO NOT have to be placed under contract to be rostered, but if placed under contract as an NFL rookie must be placed under this contract type
2. NFL rookies acquired via AFFL draft or draft waivers can be placed under Rookie Contract by the end of Week 2
3. NFL rookies acquired via AFFL Regular Waivers, Gameday Free Agency, or Trade After the Start of Week 1, can be placed under Rookie Contract in the Fall Contract Period; Fall Contracts are retroactive to April 1 of that year
Base Salary: equal to Assigned Rookie Salary
Length: 3 years
Guaranteed Money: 50% of current year, 50% of future years
Signing Bonus:Drafted 1st-3rd Round AFFL Draft - 20%; UDFA = $2.0m
Eligible Bonuses: Max 1 Restructure bonus per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
Franchise Tag: Ineligible to be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract (see Franchise Tag rule)
Rookie RFA Contracts (final year of contract) are EXEMPT from the Free Agent Auction
When Expiring/Expires: can be signed to a Rookie Extension, a Rookie Option Contract, or a Standard Contract in year contract expires(see Section V Contract Extensions)
Early Release: DOES NOT Follow normal early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details
1. Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
2. If cut in offseason, before Cut Day, owes 0% of salary from current season and 50% from all future seasons due in those seasons
3. If cut in season, after Cut Day, owes 50% of salary due in current season and 50% from all future seasons due in those seasons

Rookie Option Contracts

V Contract Extensions

NOTE: Players under an Expiring Rookie Contract can be signed to a Rookie Option Contract, or a NEW Standard Contract

Rookie Option Contracts (Options)

Eligible Contract Types: Expiring Rookie Contracts
Length: 2/6 years
- Optioned Contracts contain 2 Contract years followed by 4 Option Years
- The 2 Contract years count against the contract cap until elapsed
- The 4 Option Years only count once each is individually optioned
- Once Optioned, Player becomes Do Not Cut until Option is waived
Base Salary: HIGHEST of: Current Base Salary or Current League Formula Salary
Signing Bonus: 20%; waived if Base is less than 500% League Minimum
Guaranteed: 100% of first and second years, 50% of 3rd year, 100% of current/following year once option is picked up
Eligible Bonuses: Max 2 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Players under Option Contracts must be paid according to the following salary schedule:
1. Salary for year 1 equals Option Base Salary +25%
2. Salary for year 2 equals Option Base Salary +25%
3. Salary for year 3 equalsOption Base Salary +40
4. Salary for year 4 equalsOption Base Salary +30%
5. Salary for year 5 equalsOption Base Salary +20%
6. Salary for year 6 equalsOption Base Salary +10%
Waive/Renew:
1. Contract must be WAIVED or OPTIONED for the following season before the trade deadline each year in 2nd-5th Seasons
2. After Deadline in 2nd Season, player cannot be cut until Contract expires; can ONLY be WAIVED or OPTIONED
3. If WAIVED, player becomes Do Not Cut for remainder of season, and player is cut to draft pool
4. If Contract is OPTIONED, player becomes DO NOT CUT for the remainder of the season AND the following season, and the following Option Year becomes Active
5. If Waived before deadline of second season, team owes 50% of 3rd season salary due
6. If Waived in any season after the second, 0% of future salary is due
7. Once optioned, 100% of Optioned year becomes Guaranteed
8. In 6th (final) season, if Optioned, player is Do Not Cut entire season and does not need to be waived or cut
9. If player is still on the team's roster in the Spring Signing Period following the 6th year of their option Contract, player becomes UFA, cannot be tagged, and must be subject to the auction
Franchise Tag: Cannot be tagged
In RFA Season:Player is shielded from Free Agent Auction in ALL seasons
Early Release: Cannot be cut after Trade Deadline of Year 2, only WAIVED
1. If cut in first year, owes 100% of first year salary, 100% of second year salary, and 50% of third year salary
2. If cut in second year, owes 100% of second year salary and 50% of 3rd year salary
3. If Waived in third thru sixth years, owes 100% of that CURRENT year's salary
4. Once third year begins, 0% of future years are guaranteed

Calculating Contract Base Salary (All Types)

III Calculating Salary

Base Salary

Base Salary is the base salary amount that a contract is is signed for - Base Salary amount is the foundation of the entire contract
Base Salary times Number of Years in contract equals Total Contract Value (TCV) or Contract Value or Total Value
The League Formula for determining player salary (Total Season Points times 100,000) is used to help determine Base Salary
1. Corrected Formula Salary = used as the Formula Salary for players with fewer than 12 NFL starts in a given season
  - If a player played in less than 12 games, but at least 6, Corrected Salary Formula for that season = (Total Points) divided by (Number of Starts) times (16) + (10%) times (100k)
  - If a player played in less than 6 games, season is ineligible to be used for base salary calculation
NOTE:Total Amount Owed to a player over the lifetime of a contract may exceed Total Contract Value after factoring bonuses and/or taxi fees and/or any penalties or other assesments

Minimum Contract Base Salary

Contract's Base Salary must be equal to or greater than the League Minimum Salary for the year in which it is signed
1. In situations where an eligible Calculated Base Salary is less than the League Minimum Salary for that year, Base Salary must be raised to the current season League Minimum

Salary Calculation Rules supercede all Salary Structuring Rules (see Section V Structuring Contract Salaries)
Salaries for Contract Extensions, Restructurings, and Franchise Tags determined by those respective rules

Calculating Base Salary for Standard Contracts

For NEW Contracts for UFA's
1. Teams may use EITHER the player's Formula Salary amount from the CURRENT/upcoming season OR their Formula Salary amount from the PRIOR/just ended season as the contract's Base Salary
2. Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts in the season being used to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
3. If Prior Season salary is used as the contract's Base Salary, player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing
For Expiring Free Agent Contracts being signed to a Standard Contract
1. Teams may use EITHER 90% of player's Formula Salary amount for the current/upcoming season OR the Base Salary +30% from the expiring FA Contract as the new contract's Base Salary
2. Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
3. Player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing
For Expiring Rookie Contracts being signed to a Standard Contract
1. Teams may use EITHER player's Formula Salary amount for the current/upcoming season +30% OR the Base Salary +50% from the expiring Rookie Contract as the new contract's Base Salary
2. Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts being used to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
3. Player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 20% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing
For players being signed to contract upon being activated from Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B)
1. If player has been on TAXI-B for one season or less, Base Salary is equal to player's assigned Rookie Salary or League Formula Salary at time of taxi
2. If player has been on TAXI-B for more than 1 complete season, Base Salary is equal to the highest League Formula Salary scored while on TAXI-B
3. Player is due a Signing Bonus equal to 15% total contract value

Calculating Base Salary for Free Agent Contracts

Base Salary for Free Agent Contracts is equal to the acquiring/high bid for that player

Calculating Base Salaries for Rookie Contracts

1. Base Salary for Rookie Contracts is equal to the rookie's Assigned Rookie Salary at the time of signing (Draft Salary or Rookie Minimum))
2. Rookies signed to Rookie Contract are due a signing bonus at the following rate:

UDFA's signed to Rookie Contract owed a Signing Bonus of $2.0m due as a dead money payment at time of signing
Drafted 1st-3rd in AFFL draft, Signing Bonus equals 20% of TCV

Calculating Base Salary for EARLY Extensions

Early Standard Extensions
1. For eligible contracts in their RFA Year
2. Player is owed no Signing Bonus
3. Base equals LOWEST OF (Team's Choice)
  - Player's Current BASE SALARY +10% - OR -
  - Formula Salary for player's highest performing season while under contract

Calculating Base Salary for Regular Extensions

Standard Extensions
1. For eligible contracts in expiring year
2. Player is due a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Extension Value due as dead money payment at time of signing
3. base Salary equals HIGHEST OF (Player's Choice)
  - Player's Current Base Salary +10%
  - Formula Salary for player's highest performing season while under contract
Free Agent Extensions
1. 1st year Base Salary equals Current Base Salary + 15%
2. Player is due no Signing Bonus
3. 100% Guaranteed
Rookie Extensions
1. Base Salary equals player's Current Base Salary +25%
2. Player is due no Signing Bonus
Rookie Option Contracts
1. Base Salary = PLAYER'S CHOICE (highest of): Current Base Salary or Current League Formula Salary
2. Salary Schedule is set to include graduated payment amounts
3. Player is due a Signing Bonus equal to $1.0m per game started under expiring contract
4. 100% of Years 1 and 2; 50% of year 3 guaranteed

Schedule of Salary Payments

IV Schedule of Salary

The total amount owed to a player - Total Contract Value - must be structured into a schedule of salary payments across the total number of years of a contract
Each yearly installment of salary payment must be equal to or greater than the League Minimum Salary in the season in which the contract is signed
Each yearly installment of salary payment when current must be equal to or greater than the League Minimum Salary in that current season (subject to dead money payment for correction)
1. Schedule of Salary Payments by Contract Type
  1. Standard Contracts and Extensions (Early and Regular)
    1. Players under Standard Contracts can be paid any amount in any year of contract
    2. A minimum of 10% of Total Contract Value must be paid in every given year of 4 or 5 year contracts
    3. A minimum of 20% of Total Contract Value must be paid in every given year of 1-3 year contracts
    4. All other general guidelines must be followed
  2. Free Agent Contracts
    1. 100% of Total Contract Value not diverted to bonus must be paid in contract year and is 100% guaranteed
  3. Rookie Contracts
    1. Players under Rookie Contracts can be paid any amount in any year of contract
    2. Each yearly installment of salary payment must be equal to or greater than 25% of Total Contract Value
    3. All other general guidelines must be followed
  4. Free Agent Extensions
    1. 1 year FA Extensions must be paid original base + 15%
    2. 2 year FA Extensions must be paid original base + 15% in first year and original base +25% in second year
  5. Rookie Extension
    1. Players under Rookie Extensions can be paid any amount in any year of extension
    2. Each yearly installment of salary payment must be equal to or greater than 40% of Total Contract Value
    3. All other general guidelines must be followed
  6. Option Contracts
    1. Players under Option Contracts must be paid according to the following schedule
      1. Salary for year 1 equals Option Base Salary +25%
      2. Salary for year 2 equals Base +25%
      3. Salary for year 3 equals Base +40
      4. Salary for year 4 equals Base +30%
      5. Salary for year 5 equals Base +20%
      6. Salary for year 6 equals Base +10%

Bonuses (General)

VI Attaching Bonuses

All bonuses fall into one of three categories

Player Bonuses
- These are bonuses paid to players outside of the Total Contract Value of the contract
- These bonuses are paid only when/where specified by rule and cannot be voluntarily attached to contracts by teams
- Player Bonuses include Signing Bonuses, Tag Bonuses, Separation Bonuses, etc
Contract Bonuses - these are bonuses paid to players by DIVERTING FROM Salary into a Bonus; they are inside of the Total Contract Value of the contract
- These are bonuses that include money paid BOTH outside of the Total Contract Value of the contract AND money DIVERTED from inside of the Total Contract Value of the contract
- These bonuses can be voluntarily attached to a countract by teams as a mangement tool to move salary due into a dead money payment in the offseason to clear the cut cap</li
- Contract Bonuses include Up-Front Bonuses and Restructure Bonuses
Cap Bonuses
- These are bonuses that include money paid BOTH outside of the Total Contract Value of the contract AND money DIVERTED from inside of the Total Contract Value of the contract
- Cap Bonuses are a voluntary roster management tool teams can use
- Cap Bonuses can be issued only during Cut Week as a means to get a team across the Cut Cap

Other Payments

GameDay Salary
- "Gameday Salary" If paid to players acquired in Open Free Agency; equals 1/14th of player's Salary
- "TAXI Gameday Salary" If paid to a Taxi player, equals 2.5% Salary
Taxi Bonus
- Paid to TAXI-A players on 7th Active week
- Equal to 10% of Taxi Salary
Minimum Salary Adjustment
- Payment made to bring a Formula Salary up to the League Minimum Salary
"Captain's Salary Adjustmewnt" made to bring any salary up to Captain's Minimum

Up-Front Bonuses

VI Attaching Bonuses

Up-Front Bonuses

Diverts salary due into an immediate bonus to clear Cut Cap
Can only be issued at time of signing on eligible contracts and extensions/options
Makes contracts ineligible for Restructure
Attaching an Up-Front Bonus does not preclude the attachment of other bonuses either at the same time or in the future life of the contract
Calculating Up-front Bonuses
- ForStandard Contracts and Extensions of 2 or 3 years in length, a maximum of 20% of Total Contract Value can be diverted to an Up-Front Bonus
- ForStandard Contracts and Extensions of 4 or 5 years in length, a maximum 30% of TCV can be diverted to an Up-Front Bonus
- For Free Agent Contracts a maximum of 50% of (High Bid minus Scheduled Salary) can be diverted into an Up-Front Bonus
- For Free Agent Extensions a maximum of 30% of Extension TCV can be diverted to an Up-Front Bonus
- For Option Contracts a maximum of 50% of Base can be diverted from years 1 and 2 into an Up-Front Bonus

Restructure Bonus

VI Attaching Bonuses

Restructure Bonuses

Restructure Bonuses DIVERT money from current season salary due into dead money
Can be issued Spring Signing Period through Cut Day
Teams can issue a maximum of 3 Restructure Bonuses per season
Due as a dead money charge at time of event
Bonus cannot cause salary to dip below League Minimum
Bonus cannot be attached in season contract or extension is signed
Standard Contracts and extensions are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Events per lifetime
Rookie Contracts are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime
If attaching a Restructure Bonus in conjunction with a Sachedule of Salary Restructure, Bonus amount can be diverted from anywhere within the salary schedule (current or future seasons)
Calculating Restructure Bonuses
- Total Eligible Restructure Bonus = 1% per regular season week (1-14) of consecutive tenure (unlimited years) that player has been on team's active roster or IR(reg or season ending)(start not required)
- Teams do not have to use max amount eligible

Cap Bonuses

VI Attaching Bonuses

Cap Bonuses

Guidelines
1. Cap Bonuses can only be attached during Cut Week
2. Can be attached to ANY ACTIVE ROSTER PLAYER (UFA or Contract Player) with a current season salary of $20.0m or higher
3. Calculating Cap Bonuses
  1. Maximum eligible amount for Cap bonus is player's current season salary due (less league minimum)
  2. Teams do not have to use max amount eligible
  3. 50% of Bonus Total is DIVERTED from Current Season Salary Due into a dead money payment
  4. 50% of Bonus Total is ATTACHED to Total Contract Value as additional due and paid as a dead money payment
4. Teams forfeit a draft pick for each Cap Bonus issued
  - Teams forfeit their latest draft pick in the 5th round for their first Cap Bonus issued, then their next earliest, then the next
  - If team does not have picks to forfeit, a pick from the following year, next higher round will be forfeited, carrying forward as needed
5. Player cannnot be Cut in season Cap Bonus is issued
6. Cap Bonuses issued to contract players do not affect and are not affected by the status or eligibilities of contract
7. Cap Bonus does not necessarily preclude the attachment of other bonuses either at the same time or in the future life of any contract

Restructuring Contracts (General)

IX Contract Restructuring

Contract Restructures

Base Salary CANNOT be altered in a Re-Structure
A Restructure Event can include EITHER or BOTH of the following:
- Making changes to the Schedule of Payments
- Attaching a Restructure Bonus

Guidelines

Teams are given 3 Restructures at the start of the season to use at their discretion during Spring Signing or Cut Week
Any unused Restructures rollover into the season where they can be used during the Fall Restructure Period
Standard Contracts, Extensions and Rookie Contracts are eligible to be Re-Structured
Standard Contracts are allowed 1 Restructure Event per lifetime
Standard Extensions are allowed 1 Restructure Event per lifetime
FA Contracts, FA Extensions, and Option Contracts are ineligible for restructure
An eligible contract can only be Restructured during the designated "Restructure Periods" (below) or in conjunction with a trade, or as specified in event guidelines
- Spring Signing Period (April 1-May15)
- End of Free Agent Auction through to Cut Day
- Fall Contract Period (Week 9 - Week 11)
A contract or extension cannot be Restructured in its first year (year signed)
- Restructures done in conjunction with a trade are exempt from this rule
Restructuring does not effect any bonuses due or paid except those that are expressly a part of the Restructure
If Restructuring in conjunction with trades, restructure must be done within 48 hours of completed trade

Restructuring Schedule of Payments

IX Contract Restructuring

Restructuring the Schedule of Payments

The PAYMENT SCHEDULE terms of eligible contracts/extensions - the amount a player is owed, per season, for the remainder of the contract - can be Restructured by teams to be paid with a new schedule of payments
Guidelines

Total Remaining Due must be increased by 10% and then distributed across years remaining
Minimum 20% of remaining due must be scheduled in each remaining year due
League Minimum rules must be followed
Restructures performed after Cut Day cannot adjust current season salary; in which case, current season salary also does not count in 10% calculation
Restructure Bonus can be attached to a Payment Schedule Restructure (All Bonus Rules apply)

Restructuring Contract Length

Removing a Year
1. Total Salary due in final year of contract is eliminated by moving 50% the total due into earlier contract year(s) and/or a Restructure Bonus
2. Remaining Due becomes 100% Guaranteed Money
3. Player retains all RFA protections in their new final year of contract
4. Player becomes ineligible for Franchise Tag (while under contract)
5. Contract becomes ineligble for Extension
6. Final year cannot be bought out after Cut Day of preceeding year
Adding a Year
1. Salary owed to the player in current season is defered to the next season
2. This moves Scheduled Salaries for future seasons forward a year each and extends the contract by 1 year
3. In the now vacant or "blind" year, the player's salary is covered by a dead money Roster Bonus in the amount of player's current League Formula Salary (NOT corrected) paid at time of restructure
4. These players carry a salary of $0 - because they have been paid in one lump sum dead money payment - and will cross the Cut Cap with a $0 salary
5. These will be called "Blind Years" or "Blind Year Players"
6. Maximum 1 Blind Year per contract lifetime
7. Maximum 2 Blind Year player on any roster in any season
8. Can only be done to a Standard Contract (Standard Extensions, Rookie Contracts/Extensions ineligible)
9. Remaining due on contract becomes 100% guaranteed
10. Player becomes ineligible for Franchise Tag (while under contract)
11. Contract becomes ineligble for Extension
12. Cannot be performed after Cut Day
13. Cannot be done in RFA season

Restructuring With a Bonus

IX Contract Restructuring

Restructure Bonuses

Restructure Bonuses DIVERT money from current season salary due into dead money
Can be issued Spring Signing Period through Cut Day
Teams can issue a maximum of 3 Restructure Bonuses per season
Due as a dead money charge at time of event
Bonus cannot cause salary to dip below League Minimum
Bonus cannot be attached in season contract or extension is signed
Standard Contracts are eligible for a max of 2 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime, a 3rd one is gained upon Extension
Rookie Contracts are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime, a 2nd one is gained upon Extension
Attaching a Restructure Bonus does not count against a contract's Restructure Count, but can be done in conjunction with a Schedule of Salary Restructure
- If done in conjunction with a Schedule of Salary Restructure, Bonus amount can be diverted from anywhere within the schedule (current or future seasons)
Calculating Restructure Bonuses
- Total Eligible Restructure Bonus = 1% per regular season week (1-14) of consecutive tenure (unlimited years) that player has been on team's active roster or IR(reg or season ending)(start not required)
- Teams do not have to use max amount eligible

Trades

VII Trades

General

Players under contract can be traded
Any Separation Bonuses owed to player are immediately paid in the form of a Dead Money payment charged to team trading player AWAY
When a player under contract is traded, their contract is traded with them and the current and future salary obligations of the contract are transferred to the acquiring team, freeing the original team of their commitments (except the Separation Bonus)
1. Any Dead Money (signing bonuses, etc) paid to the player remain paid and are not reimbursed, credited, or transferred
The contract of any player acquired in trade CAN BE Re-Structured at time of trade, if eligible, by the acquiring team
1. Must be submitted within 48 hours of the completion of the trade or must wait until next restructuring period
2. Must follow all Re-Structuring rules
3. If contract has already been Restructured, contract DOES NOT become 'Re-eligible' for Re-Structuring upon trade acquissition
Traded Active Contracts can be Extended/Optioned under normal rules/guidelines
Traded Extensions/Options must spend a gap year of exposure to the Free Agent Auction before being signed to a new contract
Expiring/Year Zero Contracts can be traded in the Spring Signing Period and these players can be signed to NEW contracts, but cannot be Extended/Optioned

Ending Contracts

IX Ending Contracts

1. A Contracts can end in the following ways:

Contract Expires

The contract ends when it has run it's course through to the end of its terms
Contracts DO NOT EXPIRE until the last day of the Spring Signing Period following the April 1 on which the contract SHOULD expire
Contracts and Extensions CANNOT be re signed to a new contract after they expire until being exposed to at least one free agent auction, or being released and reacquired by team

Early Release - Player Is Cut Before Contract Expires

The Contract ends when a player has been cut
1. Contract players CANNOT be cut during the regular season AFTER the trade deadline
2. If a player under contract is IN THEIR FINAL YEAR OF CONTRACT (RFA) and is cut by a team between April 1 and Cut Day, 100% of that season's salary will be paid by the team
3. If a player under contract (not in final year) is cut by a team between April 1 and Cut Day, 50% of that season's salary paid is returned to the team
4. If a player under contract is cut by a team after Cut Day, 100% of that season's salary is paid by the team, except in the case of rookie contracts which return 50% except in final season or first year of extension
5. Additionally, team will owe more than 50% due where specified
6. Additionally, team will take individual cap hits equal to 50% of salary owed in each of any future seasons of the contract
7. If Guaranteed Money is not satisfied by salary already paid or by 50% dead money charges, additional dead money charges will be used to satisfy commitment

Player Re-Signed

In the event that a player under contract is released early, leaving team with future cap hits, and is then Re-Signed by team to a new contract while team still owes cap hits for previous contract
Future cap hits owed can be eliminated if guaranteed salary committed to player under that new contract exceeds amount owed to player as cap hits from prior contract in any given season, the cap hits for that/those seasons will be nullified
If guaranteed salary commitments to player under new contract does not exceed amount owed to player as cap hits from prior contract in any given season, only the difference between the cap hits from the former contract and the salary under new contract will be due in the form of cap hits in any applicable season

Free Agent Signing

Restricted Free Agent players who are either acquired by another team or retained by their own team with a higher bid are signed to a new contract based on the terms of those bids. This nullifies the remaining season of the old contract, thereby ending the contract
Contract Free Agent players are signed to a new contract based on the terms of bidding. This nullifies the remaining season of the old contract, thereby ending the contract

Player Retires

If a player under contract or previously under contract retires from the NFL, is banned in any way from playing in the NFL, and/or for any reason becomes unavailable for acquisition in the myfantasyleague database teams will receive financial relief
If player was on team's Active Roster and has started in 6 or more games, 0% of player's current season salary is returned to the team in that season
If player was on team's Active Roster and has started in 5 or fewer games, 100% of player's current season salary is returned to the team in that season
100% of all future obligations are eliminated
100% of any current or future cap hits owed by teams in relation to retiring player are eliminated
League Office must be notified of player's retirement status for Cap Adjustment to be made

Official AFFL Contract Rules

2024 Rules Revisions are indicated by green and magenta; two colors were used for contrast with the color coding but there is now other relevance to the text being either green or magenta other than that those rules are revised. In some cases, text is in white, but the entire section has a bright green border; this is to indicate the entire section is new or revised.

I General

Franchises can place any player on their roster under contract to lock their year to year salary and shield them from offseason Free Agency

Players DO NOT have to be placed under contract to remain on team's roster

Contract Cap = 30 Years

Defined as: All current years under contract plus all future year commitments (completed years are not counted)
Contract cap IS NOT enforced during the offseason

Contract length can be of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years depending on the contract, extension, or option

Rule concerning MAX 2 active 5 year contracts HAS BEEN REMOVED; no limit on 5 year contracts

Can be signed:

Sping Signing Period
Following AFFL Draft - Draft/Draft Waiver players only
Fall Contract Period - Rookies only
During Free Agent Auction - Players acquired at auction only
All contracts are effective retroactively to the first day of the AFFL fiscal year (April 1) of the season in which they are signed, regardless of when signed
Contracts will cycle on the first day of the AFFL fiscal year (April 1)
Standard and Rookie Contracts EXPIRE on March 31 but can be re-signed until the last day of the Spring Signing Period of their expiring year
Free Agent Contracts EXPIRE on the day before the Auction following the auction in which they were signed

Definitions

Base Salary • The salary amount that a contract is built around; derived by League Formula Salary or c Corrected League Formula Salary for current or prior season
Contract Cap • Total number of Contract Years - current and future - teams have available to commit with 'cap space' being defined as the number of available years not committed to active contracts (Current Season counts toward Cap)
Corrected Formula Salary • Used as the Formula Salary for players with fewer than 12 NFL starts in a given season
Draft Salary • The salary a rookie is assigned based on draft position; see League Rules, Rookie Salaries
Guaranteed Money • The amount of the contract that is guaranteed OVER AND ABOVE the normal 50% due for any cut years; supplememnted with a dead money Separation Bonus where neccessary
League Formula Salary (or Formula Salary) • Total Points x 100,000
Start(s) • In reference to a player's NFL game starts, found anywhere in the rules (unless otherwise noted) will equal number of games player has played at least one down of football and registered a score of zero (0) or above on the myfantasyleague stats (players have no number noted for games in which they played zero snaps)
Total Amount Owed • The total amount still owed on the contract; this amount may be in excess of Total Contract Value; this amount DOES NOT include any triggered dead money payments
Total Amount Paid • The total amount that has been paid to the player while under contract to include all salary, all signing bonuses, and all other bonuses for the life of the contract and extension (if applicable) combined
Total Contract Value (Total Value or Contract Value) (TCV) • Base Salary times number of Years - NOTE: In the context of Contract Extensions, TCV includes Base times Years of Extension only

II Types of Contracts

NOTE: "eligible Bonuses" in this section refers to optional bonuses and does not preclude other, unspecified bonuses from being attached by rule and does not refer to Cap Bonuses for which all players are eligible

Standard Contract

Eligibility: Any Active Roster UFA; Players with an EXPIRING Free Agent Contract (in lieu of FA Extension);Players with an EXPIRING Rookie Contract (in lieu of Rookie Extension or Rookie Option contract
Length: 2, 3, 4, or 5 years
Base Salary:

Current Season League Formula Salary OR
Prior Season league Formula Salary (requires signing bonus)
see Section III Calculating Salary for detailed info)

Guaranteed: 100% of current years, 50% of all future years (Note: this rule is the same as it's always been, but previously Guaranteed money only referred to money over and above this amount)
Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); max 2 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
Franchise Tag: Eligible; can be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract (see Franchise Tag rule)
When Expiring/Expires: can be signed to an Early Standard Extension in RFA year or to Standard Extension in year contract expires (see Section V Contract Extensions)
Early Release: Follows normal early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details

Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
Early Release in RFA season: owes 100% of salary from season remaining due
Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day of any other season: owes 50% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
Early Release in season after Cut Day of any other season: owes 100% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons

Adjustable Rate Contracts

Will Be Phased out beginning in 2024
No new Adj Rate Contracts/Extensions will be issued
Existing Adj Rate Contracts/Extensions will follow guidelines until no Adj Contracts exist
Existing Adj Rate Contracts eligible for Standard Extesnions at time of renewal

Guidelines

Can be 2, 3, 4, or 5 years in length
Uses a Base Salary that recalculates each season based on a 3 Year Rolling Average of the player's scoring

Player's Base Salary in any given year of contract is determined by taking an average of the player's salary (by League Formula - total points * 100k) for each of their prior 3 seasons combined
see Section III Calculating Salary for detailed info)

Total Contract Value is recalculated each season with the player's Base Salary
Can be attached with a FIRST YEAR ONLY Bonus
CANNOT be structured to be paid unevenly over the life of the contract; the player's Base Salary - as recalculared each year - must be paid in full for each year as calculated see Section III Calculating Salary
Can be Restructured by converting it to a Standard Contract (see Section IX Contract Re-Structuring)
Can be signed to a Contract Extension (see Section V Contract Extensions)
Can be placed under the Franchise Tag in the final season of the contract (see Franchise Tag rules (moved to Rules Page)

Free Agent Contracts

Players acquired in Spring Free Agency MUST be signed to a Free Agent Contract

Only those players acquired through Spring Free Agency are elligible to be placed under a Free Agent Contract
Contract signed upon acquisition

Length: 1 Year
Base Salary: equal to final acquisition bid (high/winning bid)
Guaranteed: 100%
Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: cannot be structured
Restructures: cannot be restructured
Franchise Tag: cannot be placed under the Franchise Tag in contract season or in season contract expires
Early Release:Player CANNOT BE CUT in contract season
When Expiring/Expires: In year contract expires, MUST BE either Signed to an FA EXTENSION, STANDARD CONTRACT, or RELEASED (straight to draft pool at end of Spring Signing, bypassing Auction, no charges)
see Section VIII Contract Free Agency for more info

Rookie Contracts

NFL Rookie Players acquired in their rookie year are eligible for a Rookie Contract

NFL rookies DO NOT have to be placed under contract to be rostered, but if placed under contract as an NFL rookie must be placed under this contract type
NFL rookies acquired via AFFL draft or draft waivers can be placed under Rookie Contract by the end of Week 2
NFL rookies acquired via AFFL Regular Waivers, Gameday Free Agency, or Trade After the Start of Week 1, can be placed under Rookie Contract in the Fall Contract Period; Fall Contracts are retroactive to April 1 of that year

Base Salary: equal to Assigned Rookie Salary
Length: 3 years
Guaranteed Money: 50% of current year, 50% of future years
Signing Bonus:Drafted 1st-3rd Round AFFL Draft - 20%; UDFA = $2.0m
Eligible Bonuses: Max 1 Restructure bonus per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
Franchise Tag: Ineligible to be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract (see Franchise Tag rule)
Rookie RFA Contracts (final year of contract) are EXEMPT from the Free Agent Auction
When Expiring/Expires: can be signed to a Rookie Extension, a Rookie Option Contract, or a Standard Contract in year contract expires(see Section V Contract Extensions)
Early Release: DOES NOT Follow normal early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details

Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
If cut in offseason, before Cut Day, owes 0% of salary from current season and 50% from all future seasons due in those seasons
If cut in season, after Cut Day, owes 50% of salary due in current season and 50% from all future seasons due in those seasons

III Calculating Salary

Base Salary

Base Salary is the base salary amount that a contract is is signed for - Base Salary amount is the foundation of the entire contract
Base Salary times Number of Years in contract equals Total Contract Value (TCV) or Contract Value or Total Value
The League Formula for determining player salary (Total Season Points times 100,000) is used to help determine Base Salary

Corrected Formula Salary = used as the Formula Salary for players with fewer than 12 NFL starts in a given season

If a player played in less than 12 games, but at least 6, Corrected Salary Formula for that season = (Total Points) divided by (Number of Starts) times (16) + (10%) times (100k)
If a player played in less than 6 games, season is ineligible to be used for base salary calculation

NOTE:Total Amount Owed to a player over the lifetime of a contract may exceed Total Contract Value after factoring bonuses and/or taxi fees and/or any penalties or other assesments

Minimum Contract Base Salary

Contract's Base Salary must be equal to or greater than the League Minimum Salary for the year in which it is signed

In situations where an eligible Calculated Base Salary is less than the League Minimum Salary for that year, Base Salary must be raised to the current season League Minimum

Salary Calculation Rules supercede all Salary Structuring Rules (see Section V Structuring Contract Salaries)

Salaries for Contract Extensions, Restructurings, and Franchise Tags determined by those respective rules

Calculating Base Salary for Standard Contracts

For NEW Contracts for UFA's

Teams may use EITHER the player's Formula Salary amount from the CURRENT/upcoming season OR their Formula Salary amount from the PRIOR/just ended season as the contract's Base Salary
Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts in the season being used to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
If Prior Season salary is used as the contract's Base Salary, player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing

For Expiring Free Agent Contracts being signed to a Standard Contract

Base equals LOWEST of current Formula Salary -10% OR the Base Salary +30% from the expiring FA Contract as the new contract's Base Salary
Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
Player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing

For Expiring Rookie Contracts being signed to a Standard Contract

Teams must use HIGHEST of player's Formula Salary amount for the current/upcoming season +30% OR the Base Salary +30% from the expiring Rookie Contract as the new contract's Base Salary, BUT if both calculations are >500% LgMin, lowest can be used
Player must have a minimum of 12 NFL starts being used to determine Formula Salary for Base or else a "Corrected" value must be used
Player is owed a Signing Bonus equal to 20% of Total Contract Value due at time of signing, waived if Base is >500% LgMin

For players being signed to contract upon being activated from Developmental Taxi (TAXI-B)

If player has been on TAXI-B for one season or less, Base Salary is equal to player's assigned Rookie Salary or League Formula Salary at time of taxi
If player has been on TAXI-B for more than 1 complete season, Base Salary is equal to the highest League Formula Salary scored while on TAXI-B
Player is due a Signing Bonus equal to 15% total contract value

Calculating Base Salary for Free Agent Contracts

Base Salary for Free Agent Contracts is equal to the acquiring/high bid for that player

Calculating Base Salaries for Rookie Contracts

Base Salary for Rookie Contracts is equal to the rookie's Assigned Rookie Salary at the time of signing (Draft Salary or Rookie Minimum))
Rookies signed to Rookie Contract are due a signing bonus at the following rate:

UDFA's signed to Rookie Contract owed a Signing Bonus of $2.0m due as a dead money payment at time of signing

Drafted ist-3rd in AFFL Signing Bonus equals 20% Total Contract Value

Calculating Base Salary for EARLY Extensions

Early Standard Extensions

For eligible contracts in their RFA Year
Player is owed no Signing Bonus
Base equals LOWEST OF (Team's Choice)

Player's Current BASE SALARY +20% - OR -
Formula Salary for player's highest performing season while under contract

Calculating Base Salary for Regular Extensions

Standard Extensions

For eligible contracts in expiring year
Player is due a Signing Bonus equal to 10% of Total Extension Value due as dead money payment at time of signing
Base Salary equals HIGHEST OF

Player's Current Base Salary +20%
Formula Salary for player's highest performing season while under contract

Free Agent Extensions

1st year Base Salary equals Current Base Salary + 15%
Player is due no Signing Bonus
100% Guaranteed

Option Contracts

Base Salary = HIGHEST of: Current Base Salary or Current League Formula Salary
Salary Schedule is set to include graduated payment amounts
Player is due a Signing Bonus equal to $1.0m per game started under expiring contract
100% of Years 1 and 2; 50% of year 3 guaranteed

IV Schedule of Salary

General Guidelines

The total amount owed to a player - Total Contract Value - must be structured into a schedule of salary payments across the total number of years of a contract
Full Schedule of Salary across all contract seasons plus any money diverted through bonus must equal Total Contract Value
Each yearly installment of salary payment must be equal to or greater than the League Minimum Salary in the season in which the contract is signed
Each yearly installment of salary payment when current must be equal to or greater than the League Minimum Salary in that current season (subject to dead money payment for correction)

League Minimum Payments

In any instance where a player's contract salary for any given year is less than that season's Minimum Player Salary, then a Minimum Salary Adjustment equal to the the difference between that player's salary by contract and the league minimum for that season must be paid to the player
Difference will be by dead money payment and will be charged even if charge causes total salary to exceed Total Contract Value

Schedule of Salary Payments by Contract Type

Standard Contracts and Extensions (Early and Regular)

Players under Standard Contracts can be paid any amount in any year of contract
A minimum of 10% of Total Contract Value must be paid in every given year of 4 or 5 year contracts
A minimum of 20% of Total Contract Value must be paid in every given year of 1-3 year contracts
All other general guidelines must be followed

Free Agent Contracts

100% of Total Contract Value not diverted to bonus must be paid in contract year and is 100% guaranteed

Rookie Contracts

Players under Rookie Contracts can be paid any amount in any year of contract
Each yearly installment of salary payment must be equal to or greater than 25% of Total Contract Value
All other general guidelines must be followed

Free Agent Extensions

100% of Total Contract Value not diverted to bonus must be paid in extension year and is 100% guaranteed

Rookie Extension

Players under Rookie Extensions can be paid any amount in any year of extension
Each yearly installment of salary payment must be equal to or greater than 40% of Total Contract Value
All other general guidelines must be followed

Option Contracts

Players under Option Contracts must be paid according to the following schedule

Salary for year 1 equals Option Base Salary +25%
Salary for year 2 equals Base +25%
Salary for year 3 equals Base +40
Salary for year 4 equals Base +30%
Salary for year 5 equals Base +20%
Salary for year 6 equals Base +10%

V Contract Extensions

Guidelines

Contract Extensions can be signed only during the Spring Signing Period (April 1-May 15)
Once a player has been given a Contract Extension, they cannot be re-signed to contract by that team until extension has expired and player has undergone 1 season as an Unrestricted Free Agent, OR until player has been cut or traded by team, and then later reacquired
NOTE: In any Base calculation formula, If player made less than 12 NFL starts in any season used for calculation, Corrected Formula Value must be used for that season

Early Extensions

Contracts entering their final year on April 1 (First Day Of Season) become Restricted Free Agents, but can be entirely shielded from the upcoming Free Agency Auction by being re-signed with a Contract Extension
These Early Extensions were formerly called "Year 1" Extensions
The Extension is tacked on to the end of the existing contract and does not affect the terms of the existing contract's final season

Types of Early Extensions

Standard Early Extension

Eligible Contract Types: Standard Contracts entering their RFA season
Length: 2 or 3 years
Base Salary: TEAM'S CHOICE (lowest of): Formula Salary for the highest scoring season under current contract • OR • Current Base Salary + 10%; see Section III Calculating Salary for detailed info
Signing Bonus: None
Guaranteed: 100% of first year, 100% of current years, 50% of all future years (Note: this rule is the same as it's always been, but previously Guaranteed money only referred to money over and above this amount)
Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); max 1 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
Franchise Tag: Eligible; can be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract and in year contract expires(see Franchise Tag rule)
When Expires: Player becomes a UFA and is subject to the Free Agent Auction unless tagged (see Section V Contract Extensions)
Early Release: Follows modified early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details

Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
Early Release prior to Cut Day in offseason prior to start of first season of extension: owes 50% of salary from season cut, owes 100% for scheduled first year of extension due in that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
Early Release after Cut Day in season prior to start of first season of extension: owes 100% of salary from season cut, owes 100% for scheduled first year of extension due in that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
Early Release in offseason or season of first season of extension: owes 100% of salary from that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day in RFA season of extension: owes 100% of salary remaining due
Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day of any other season: owes 50% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
Early Release in season after Cut Day in any othewr season: owes 100% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons

Regular Extensions

Contracts expiring on April 1 (Technically do not expire until the last day of the Spring Signing Period) become Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)(non-contract players), but can be shielded from the upcoming Free Agency Auction by being re-signed with a Contract Extension
These Regular Extensions were formerly called "Year 0" Extensions
Once signed, Extension is continuos to the original contract

Types of Regular Extensions

Standard (Regular) Extension

Eligible Contract Types: Expiring Standard Contracts
Length: 2 or 3 years
Base Salary: PLAYER'S CHOICE (highest of): Formula Salary for the highest scoring season under current contract • OR • Current Base Salary + 10%; see Section III Calculating Salary for detailed info
Signing Bonus: 10% of Total Extension Value due as a dead money payment at time of signing
Guaranteed: 100% of first year, 100% of current years, 50% of all future years (Note: this rule is the same as it's always been, but previously Guaranteed money only referred to money over and above this amount)
Eligible Bonuses: Upfront Bonus (at time of signing); max 1 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Total Contract Value can be "Structured" to be paid unevenly across length/term of contract (see Section IV Structuring Contract Salaries)
Restructure: Eligible for one per contract lifetime (see Section IX Re-Structuring Contract Salaries)
Franchise Tag: Eligible; can be placed under the Franchise Tag during any season of contract and in year contract expires(see Franchise Tag rule)
When Expires: Player becomes a UFA and is subject to the Free Agent Auction unless tagged (see Section V Contract Extensions)
Early Release: Follows modified early release rules; See "Ending Contracts" for details

Can be cut during Cut Week and any time between the draft and the trade deadline
Early Release in offseason or season of first season of extension: owes 100% of salary from that year, and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day in RFA season of extension: owes 100% of salary remaining due
Early Release in offseason prior to Cut Day of any other season: owes 50% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons;
Early Release in season after Cut Day in any othewr season: owes 100% of salary from season cut and 50% from all future seasons, due in those seasons

Free Agent Extension

Eligible Contract Types: Expiring Free Agent Contracts
Length: 1 Year
Base Salary Calculation:Base Salary Equal to Current Base Salary +15%
Signing Bonus: none
Guaranteed Money: 100% Guaranteed
Eligible Bonuses: An Up-Front Bonus may be attached under relevant bonus guidelines at time of signing
Franchise Tag: Cannot be tagged
Player is shielded from the Free Agent Auction
Other Guidelines: Follows all other relevant Free Agent guidelines
Early Release: Player cannot be cut while under contract
When Extension Expires:Player becomes a UFA and enters Free Agent Auction
Early Release:Player cannot be cut while under contract

Option Contracts

Eligible Contract Types: Expiring Rookie Contracts
Length: 2/6 years

Optioned Contracts contain 2 Contract years followed by 4 Option Years
The 2 Contract years count against the contract cap until elapsed
The 4 Option Years only count once each is individually optioned
Once Optioned, Player becomes Do Not Cut until Option is waived

Base Salary: PLAYER'S CHOICE (highest of): Current Base Salary or Current League Formula Salary
Signing Bonus: $1.0 million dollars per game started under original Rookie Contract
Guaranteed: 100% of first and second years, 50% of 3rd year, 100% of current/following year once option is picked up
Eligible Bonuses: Max 2 Restructure bonuses per contract lifetime; see "Bonuses" for detailed info
Salary Schedule: Players under Option Contracts must be paid according to the following salary schedule:

Salary for year 1 equals Option Base Salary +25%
Salary for year 2 equals Option Base Salary +25%
Salary for year 3 equalsOption Base Salary +40
Salary for year 4 equalsOption Base Salary +30%
Salary for year 5 equalsOption Base Salary +20%
Salary for year 6 equalsOption Base Salary +10%

Waive/Renew:

Contract must be WAIVED or OPTIONED for the following season before the trade deadline each year in 2nd-5th Seasons
After Deadline in 2nd Season, player cannot be cut until Contract expires; can ONLY be WAIVED or OPTIONED
If WAIVED, player becomes Do Not Cut for remainder of season, and player is cut to draft pool
If Contract is OPTIONED, player becomes DO NOT CUT for the remainder of the season AND the following season, and the following Option Year becomes Active
If Waived before deadline of second season, team owes 50% of 3rd season salary due
If Waived in any season after the second, 0% of future salary is due
Once optioned, 100% of Optioned year becomes Guaranteed
In 6th (final) season, if Optioned, player is Do Not Cut entire season and does not need to be waived or cut
If player is still on the team's roster in the Spring Signing Period following the 6th year of their option Contract, player becomes UFA, cannot be tagged, and must be subject to the auction

Franchise Tag: Cannot be tagged
In RFA Season:Player is shielded from Free Agent Auction in ALL seasons
Early Release: Cannot be cut after Trade Deadline of Year 2, only WAIVED

If cut in first year, owes 100% of first year salary, 100% of second year salary, and 50% of third year salary
If cut in second year, owes 100% of second year salary and 50% of 3rd year salary
If Waived in third thru sixth years, owes 100% of that CURRENT year's salary
Once third year begins, 0% of future years are guaranteed

VI Attaching Bonuses

>All bonuses fall into one of three categories

Player Bonuses - These are bonuses paid to players outside of the Total Contract Value of the contract
Contract Bonuses - these are bonuses paid to players by DIVERTING FROM Salary into a Bonus; they are inside of the Total Contract Value of the contract
Cap Bonuses - These are bonuses that include money paid BOTH outside of the Total Contract Value of the contract AND money DIVERTED from inside of the Total Contract Value of the contract

Player Bonuses

Guidelines

Are attached ONLY to certain contracts or extensions as/where specified by rule
Amounts are as specified by rule
Player Bonuses are valued over and above the Total Contract Value, meaning when attached to a contract, the total amount paid to player can exceed the Total Contract Value
Player Bonuses are due as a dead money charge at the time of signing/event unless otherwise specified
Attaching a Player Bonus does not preclude the attachment of other bonuses either at the same time or in the future life of the contract unless specified otherwise

Types of Player Bonus

Signing Bonus - Paid as specified when signing players to contracts, extensions, or options; usually, but not always, equal to a percentage of TCV
Roster Bonus - paid as specified during various contract management events; used as a catch-all Bonus where rules specify the addition of money to the Total Contract Value
Tag Bonus - Paid when player is Franchise Tagged; equal to 20% of of player's scheduled salary for year tagged
Captain's Bonus - Paid when player is named Team Captain; amount varies based on number of years player has been named Captain
Separation Bonus - Paid as specified when player is cut, traded, or otherwise removed from roster

Contract Bonuses

Guidelines

Can be attached ONLY to certain contracts or extensions as/where specified by rule
Amounts are as allowed by rule
Contract Bonuses are monies DIVERTED from the Base x Length Total Contract Value, meaning when paid, the total amount remaining owed to player will decrease
Contract Bonuses are due as a dead money charge at the time of event
Attaching a Contract Bonus does not necessarily preclude the attachment of other bonuses either at the same time or in the future life of the contract

Types of Contract Bonus

Up-Front Bonuses

Diverts salary due into an immediate bonus to clear Cut Cap
Can only be issued at time of signing on eligible contracts and extensions/options
Makes contracts ineligible for Restructure
Attaching an Up-Front Bonus does not preclude the attachment of other bonuses either at the same time or in the future life of the contract
Calculating Up-front Bonuses

ForStandard Contracts and Extensions of 2 or 3 years in length, a maximum of 20% of Total Contract Value can be diverted to an Up-Front Bonus
ForStandard Contracts and Extensions of 4 or 5 years in length, a maximum 30% of TCV can be diverted to an Up-Front Bonus
For Free Agent Contracts a maximum of 50% of (High Bid minus Schedule Salary) can be diverted into an Up-Front Bonus
For Free Agent Extensions a maximum of 30% of Extension TCV can be diverted to an Up-Front Bonus
For Option Contracts a maximum of 50% of Base can be diverted from year 1 and 2 only into an Up-Front Bonus

Restructure Bonuses

Restructure Bonuses DIVERT money from current season salary due into dead money
Can be issued Spring Signing Period through Cut Day
Teams can issue a maximum of 3 Restructure Bonuses per season
Due as a dead money charge at time of event
Bonus cannot cause salary to dip below League Minimum
Bonus cannot be attached in season contract or extension is signed
Standard Contracts are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime; Extensions are eligible for only 1 per lifetime
Rookie Contracts are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime
Attaching a Restructure Bonus does not count against a contract's Restructure Count, but can be done in conjunction with a Schedule of Salary Restructure

If done in conjunction with a Sachedule of Salary Restructure, Bonus amount can be diverted from anywhere within the salary schedule (current or future seasons)

Calculating Restructure Bonuses

Total Eligible Restructure Bonus = 1% per regular season week (1-14) of consecutive tenure (unlimited years) that player has been on team's active roster or IR(reg or season ending)(start not required)
Teams do not have to use max amount eligible

Cap Bonuses

Guidelines

Cap Bonuses can only be attached during Cut Week
Can be attached to ANY ACTIVE ROSTER PLAYER (UFA or Contract Player) with a current season salary of $20.0m or higher
Calculating Cap Bonuses

Maximum eligible amount for Cap bonus is player's current season salary due (less league minimum)
Teams do not have to use max amount eligible
50% of Bonus Total is DIVERTED from Current Season Salary Due into a dead money payment
50% of Bonus Total is ATTACHED to Total Contract Value as additional due and paid as a dead money payment

Teams forfeit a draft pick for each Cap Bonus issued

Teams forfeit their latest draft pick in the 5th round for their first Cap Bonus issued, then their next earliest, then the next
If team does not have picks to forfeit, a pick from the following year, next higher round will be forfeited, carrying forward as needed

Player cannnot be Cut in season Cap Bonus is issued
Cap Bonuses issued to contract players do not affect and are not affected by the status or eligibilities of contract
Cap Bonus does not necessarily preclude the attachment of other bonuses either at the same time or in the future life of any contract

Other Payments

GameDay Salary

"Gameday Salary" If paid to players acquired in Open Free Agency; equals 1/14th of player's Salary
"TAXI Gameday Salary" If paid to a Taxi player, equals 2.5% Salary

Taxi Bonus

Paid to TAXI-A players on 7th Active week
Equal to 10% of Taxi Salary

Minimum Salary Adjustment

Payment made to bring a Formula Salary up to the League Minimum Salary

"Captain's Salary Adjustmewnt" made to bring any salary up to Captain's Minimum

VII Trades

General

Players under contract can be traded
Any Separation Bonuses owed to player are immediately paid in the form of a Dead Money payment charged to team trading player AWAY
When a player under contract is traded, their contract is traded with them and the current and future salary obligations of the contract are transferred to the acquiring team, freeing the original team of their commitments (except the Separation Bonus)

Any Dead Money (signing bonuses, etc) paid to the player remain paid and are not reimbursed, credited, or transferred

The contract of any player acquired in trade CAN BE Re-Structured at time of trade, if eligible, by the acquiring team

Must be submitted within 48 hours of the completion of the trade or must wait until next restructuring period
Must follow all Re-Structuring rules
If contract has already been Restructured, contract DOES NOT become 'Re-eligible' for Re-Structuring upon trade acquissition

Traded Active Contracts can be Extended/Optioned under normal rules/guidelines
Traded Extensions/Options must spend a gap year of exposure to the Free Agent Auction before being signed to a new contract
Expiring/Year Zero Contracts can be traded in the Spring Signing Period and these players can be signed to NEW contracts, but cannot be Extended/Optioned

VIII Contract Free Agency

Free Agent Auction

The Free Agency Auction is held each summer after the close of the Spring Free Agency Period and before the Fall Re-structure Period
The Auction is designed to mimic the NFL Free Agency Season in which teams can shop other teams' rosters for players without a contract or with an expiring contract
The AFFL Off Season Free Agency Period will be conducted by long-running auction (appx 40+ days) on the MyFantasyLeague site
Players won at auction must be signed to a 1 year Free Agent contract
Players available in the Free Agent Auction limited to those outlined in this section

Player Pool

Unrestricted Free Agents

Players ON ANY TEAM'S ROSTER but NOT UNDER CONTRACT are designated "Roster Free Agents (Unrestricted)" - OR Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)
All Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's) will be placed into the player pool for the Free Agent Auction
These players will carry the UFA designation in the auction and follow all relevant UFA rules (exemptions listed below)

Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)

Players ON ANY TEAM'S ROSTER in their FINAL YEAR of CONTRACT are designated "Roster Free Agents (Restricted)" - OR Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
All Restricted Free Agents (RFA's) will be placed into the player pool for the Free Agent Auction
These players will carry the RFA designation in the auction and follow all relevant RFA rules (exemptions listed below)

Exemptions

Players carrying the Franchise Tag are shielded from the Auction
Players on the Taxi Squad at time of auction are shielded
Rookie RFA's - players in the final year of a Rookie Type Contract or Extension are shielded unless otherwise specified
Certain other players in rare instances where/when specified by the rules will be shielded from the auction
Players from teams not allowed to participate in the auction by league rule will not be included in the eligible player pool

Budgets

Auction budgets will be INDIVIDUAL to each team
Team's budgets are based on formula:
(Team's FULL Salary Cap Space) MINUS (10%) MINUS (League Minimum Salary x Team's number of draft picks in Upcoming Draft)

Nominations

Minimum Opening Bid (MOB)

Nominations must be made in the amount of the player's Minimum Opening Bid (MOB) or greater
MOB for UFA's will be an amount equal to their Current League Formula Salary + 10%
MOB for RFA's will be an amount equal to their current season salary under their final contract year +10%
MOB for all players in the player pool will be published prior to auction start

All participating teams will have nominating powers
Any player in the player pool can be nominated by any participating team at any point in the auction
There are no limits on the number of nominations a team may make, simultaneouusly or otherwise, and no order in which teams must make their nominations, and no limit on the number of active nominations made by any franchise
Any nomination of a player will be considered an "Opening Bid" for that player and is a BINDING BID
Nominations must be made in the amount of the player's Minimum Opening Bid or greater
Nomination starts a 120 hour (5 day) timer on each individual player auction
Nominations not allowed beyond 40th day of auction

Bidding Guidelines

All bids are binding until outbid
Bids are made in ANY increment of $500,000 above previous bid, OR MOB or any increments of $500,000 above that
Each bid resets the individual bid timer on the individual player auction to a new 120 hours (5 days)
Beyond Day 40 of auction, bid timer will be shortened at commissioner's discretion
Teams cannot bid on their own UFA's
Teams cannot bid on their own RFA's
Players that are not bid on will return to their original teams

High Bids - Acquiring Player

Unrestricted Free Agents

Team with the high bid when timer expires on any UFA will own the rights to that player
Player must be signed to Free Agent Contract, following all relevant guidelines, by the Free Agent Contract Deadline
Amount of High Bid is Base Salary for contract

Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)

Team with the High Bid when timer expires on any RFA will negotiate with contract owner for the rights to that player
Negotiating Team will offer amount of High Bid to player WITH Draft Pick Compensation according to the chart below
Contract Owner will have 72 hours to MATCH the High Bid to retain rights to the player or RELEASE player to the Negotiating Team in exchange for relevant Draft Pick Compensation (see below)
If Contract Owner matches High Bid, Negotiating Team will have 48 hours to increase their original High bid (Compensation remains based on chart below)
Contract Owner will AGAIN have 72 hours to MATCH the High Bid to retain rights to the player or RELEASE player to the negotiatinig team for relevant Draft Pick Compensation (see below)
If high bid is matched and original contract owner retains rights to player, final year of player's existing contract is canceled and player must be signed to a Free Agent Contract free and clear from any remaining commitments from original contract and Negotiating Team is free and clear
If player is released to negotiating team, final year of player's existing contract is canceled and player must be signed to a Free Agent Contract free and clear from any remaining commitments from original contract and original Contract owner is Compensated with relevant Draft Pick
Highest relevant offer will be used as the Base Salary for the contract for whichever team retains/acquires rights to player

Draft Pick Compensation

RFA Compensation will be in the form of Draft Pick or Picks transferred FROM the ACQUIRING Team TO the Team LOSING rights to the RFA (Team Being Compensated)

Individual RFA Draft Pick Compensation is based on the FINAL HIGH BID of the player's individual auction in combination with the current League Minimum Salary

As follows:(see below for CURRENT Season figures)

If FINAL HIGH BID is equal to 200% of League Minimum Salary or LESS

Compensation is 6th Round Pick in upcoming draft
If scheduled compensation is unavailable, alternate compensation will be EARLIEST AVAILABLE 6th Round pick AND EARLIEST AVAIALBLE 7th Round Pick

FINAL HIGH BID = 200.01-300% League Min. - Compensation = 5th Rd pick in Current/Next 5th AND 7th
FINAL HIGH BID = 300.01-400% League Min. - Compensation = 4th Rd pick in Current/Next 4th AND 6th
FINAL HIGH BID = 400.01-550% League Min. - Compensation = 3rd Rd pick in Current/Next 3rd AND 5th
FINAL HIGH BID = 550.01-700% League Min. - Compensation = 2nd Rd pick in Current/Next 2nd AND 4th
FINAL HIGH BID > 700% League Min. - Compensation = 1st Rd pick in Current/Next 1st AND 3rd

If Compensating Team has more than one pick available in any compensatory round, team's original assigned pick (if available) will be used as compensation; if unavailable, the earliest of available picks in the round in question will be used

If more than one Team is being Compensated by the SAME Acquiring Team for different RFA's, within the same timeframe, the Team Being Compensated for the RFA with the higher bid value will be compensated first

If a Team is being Compensated for an RFA from one negotiation, AND is potentially a Compensating Team for another RFA in a different auction, within the same timeframe, the Compensation RECEIVED in the one transaction is INELIGIBLE to be used as compensation GIVEN

ANY Draft picks ACQUIRED as compensation during the Free Agent Auction can be SHIELDED from being used as compensation at team's discretion in each potential instance

Contracts

All players acquired through the Free Agent Auction must be signed to a Free Agent Contract

These contracts will follow all relevant Free Agent Contract guidelines

Final High Bid will be used as Base Salary

2024 RFA COMPENSATION SCALE

$10.81m-$16.2m -Comp=5th/5th+7th

$16.21m-$21.6m -Comp=4th/4th+6th

$21.61m-$29.7m -Comp=3rd/3rd+5th

$29.71m-$37.8m -Comp=2nd/2nd+4th

>$37.8m -Comp=1st/1st+3rd

Nullification

If a Free Agent Contract is not submitted for any acquired player within 48 hours of the close of bidding on any individual player, then offer will be Nullified

If it is determined for any reason that 'winning bid' on any player is an ineligible bid - as defined below - offer will be Nullified

In the case of all Nullified offers:

Bidding will reopen
Bidding will revert to the last eligible bid made by the high bidding team
Eligible in this instance defined as the team's ability to cover the offer with available salary and contract cap space (without Re-Structuring) having been verified by the league

IX Contract Restructuring

Contract Restructures

Base Salary CANNOT be altered in a Re-Structure
A Restructure Event can include EITHER or BOTH of the following:

Making changes to the Schedule of Payments
Attaching a Restructure Bonus

Guidelines

Teams are given 3 Restructures at the start of the offseason to use at their discretion during Spring Signing or Cut Week
Any unused Restructures roll over into the season where they can be used during the Fall Restructure Period
Standard Contracts are allowed one Restructure Event per lifetime
Contract Extensions are allowed one Restructure Event per lifetime
Rookie Contracts are allowed 1 Restructure Event per lifetime
FA Contracts, FA Extensions, and Option contracts are ineligible for restructure
An eligible contract can only be Restructured during the designated "Restructure Periods" (below) or in conjunction with a trade, or as specified in event guidelines

Spring Signing Period (April 1-May15)
End of Free Agent Auction through to Cut Day
Fall Contract Period (Week 9 - Week 11)

A contract or extension cannot be Restructured in its first year (year signed)

Restructures done in conjunction with a trade are exempt from this rule

Restructuring does not effect any bonuses due or paid except those that are expressly a part of the Restructure
If Restructuring in conjunction with trades, restructure must be done within 48 hours of completed trade

Restructuring the Schedule of Payments

The PAYMENT SCHEDULE terms of eligible conntracts/extensions - the amount a player is owed, per season, for the remainder of the contract - can be Restructured by teams to be paid with a new schedule of payments

Guidelines

Total Remaining Due must be increased by 10% and then distributed across years remaining
Minimum 20% of remaining due must be scheduled in each remaining year due
League Minimum rules must be followed
Restructures performed after Cut Day cannot adjust current season salary; in which case, current season salary also does not count in 10% calculation
Restructure Bonus can be attached to a Payment Schedule Restructure (All Bonus Rules apply)

Restructure Bonuses

Restructure Bonuses DIVERT money from current season salary due into dead money
Can be issued Spring Signing Period through Cut Day
Teams can issue a maximum of 3 Restructure Bonuses per season
Due as a dead money charge at time of event
Bonus cannot cause salary to dip below League Minimum
Bonus cannot be attached in season contract or extension is signed
Standard Contracts are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime
Standard Extensions are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime
Rookie Contracts are eligible for a max of 1 Restructure Bonuses per lifetime
If attaching a Restructure in conjunction with a Sachedule of Salary Restructure, Bonus amount can be diverted from anywhere within the schedule (current or future seasons)
Calculating Restructure Bonuses

Total Eligible Restructure Bonus = 1% per regular season week (1-14) of consecutive tenure (unlimited years) that player has been on team's active roster or IR(reg or season ending)(start not required)
Teams do not have to use max amount eligible

Converting an Adjustable Rate Contract or Extension to Standard

An Adjustable Rate Contract or Extension that meets all relevant guidelines, can be Re-Structured by CONVERTING it into Standard Type for its remaining term

The player's average single season salary under the lifetime of the contract (AVG) is SUBTRACTED FROM
The player's highest single season salary owed or paid under the lifetime of the contract (HIGH) AND THEN ADDED TO
The player's current League Formula value at the time of restructure (CURRENT)
The formula is: (HIGH minus AVG) + CURRENT = New BASE Salary
New BASE x Length Remaining = Total Contract Value

The Total Contract Value can then be structured across the remaining years of the contract or extension in any ratio within the limits of Standard Structuring Rules
An Adjustable Rate Re-Structure counts against the limit of 1 Re-Structure in a contract's lifetime, and 'converted' contracts become designated "Ineligible" for Re-Structure

IX Ending Contracts

A Contracts can end in the following ways:

Contract Expires

The contract ends when it has run it's course through to the end of its terms
Contracts DO NOT EXPIRE until the last day of the Spring Signing Period following the April 1 on which the contract SHOULD expire
Contracts and Extensions CANNOT be re signed to a new contract after they expire until being exposed to at least one free agent auction, or being released and reacquired by team

Early Release - Player Is Cut Before Contract Expires

The Contract ends when a player has been cut

Contract players CANNOT be cut during the regular season AFTER the trade deadline
If a player under contract is IN THEIR FINAL YEAR OF CONTRACT (RFA) and is cut by a team between April 1 and Cut Day, 100% of that season's salary will be paid by the team
If a player under contract (not in final year) is cut by a team between April 1 and Cut Day, 50% of that season's salary paid is returned to the team
If a player under contract is cut by a team after Cut Day, 100% of that season's salary is paid by the team, except in the case of rookie contracts which return 50% except in final season or first year of extension
Additionally, team will owe more than 50% due where specified
Additionally, team will take individual cap hits equal to 50% of salary owed in each of any future seasons of the contract
If Guaranteed Money is not satisfied by salary already paid or by 50% dead money charges, additional dead money charges will be used to satisfy commitment

Player Re-Signed

In the event that a player under contract is released early, leaving team with future cap hits, and is then Re-Signed by team to a new contract while team still owes cap hits for previous contract
Future cap hits owed can be eliminated if guaranteed salary committed to player under that new contract exceeds amount owed to player as cap hits from prior contract in any given season, the cap hits for that/those seasons will be nullified
If guaranteed salary commitments to player under new contract does not exceed amount owed to player as cap hits from prior contract in any given season, only the difference between the cap hits from the former contract and the salary under new contract will be due in the form of cap hits in any applicable season

Free Agent Signing

Restricted Free Agent players who are either acquired by another team or retained by their own team with a higher bid are signed to a new contract based on the terms of those bids. This nullifies the remaining season of the old contract, thereby ending the contract
Contract Free Agent players are signed to a new contract based on the terms of bidding. This nullifies the remaining season of the old contract, thereby ending the contract

Player Retires

If a player under contract or previously under contract retires from the NFL, is banned in any way from playing in the NFL, and/or for any reason becomes unavailable for acquisition in the myfantasyleague database teams will receive financial relief
If player was on team's Active Roster and has started in 6 or more games, 0% of player's current season salary is returned to the team in that season
If player was on team's Active Roster and has started in 5 or fewer games, 100% of player's current season salary is returned to the team in that season
100% of all future obligations are eliminated
100% of any current or future cap hits owed by teams in relation to retiring player are eliminated
League Office must be notified of player's retirement status for Cap Adjustment to be made

X Miscellaneous Rules

Injured Reserve

Contract Players can be placed on Injured Reserve (IR) under the IR rules outlined in the league rules to free a coresponding slot on the Active Roster

Orphan Franchises (off-season)

All efforts will be made to place orphaned franchises with new ownership before off-season contract activity begins, but the presence of orphaned franchises will not delay off-season calendar of contract-related events
Orphaned franchises seated with new ownership after the start of the Spring Signing Period will be given a minimum of 14 days of an individualized signing period once new ownership has taken control of team in which to manage the franchise's contracts and personel

Any contracts signed within this periood will be retroactive to April 1 as any other contracts
This 14 day period can be ended early at new owner's request once they've completed all desired contract signings and re-structurings
This 14 day period can be shortened at Commissioner's discretion should the 14 day length interfere with the Cut Day or the Draft

Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents from teams without current ownership will not be available for bidding during the Spring Free Agency Period

Should an orphaned team be seated with new ownership DURING the Spring Free Agency Period, the franchise's Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents will be added to the Spring Free Agent auction EITHER once new ownership has declared their signing process complete, OR once the 14 day individualized franchise signing period has completed
Orphaned Franchises seated with new ownership can participate in bidding for all Unrestricted and Restricted Free Agents ONLY after the franchise's own free agents have been added to the auction pool
Orphan Franchises seated with new ownership after the Free Agent Auction or those who otherwise have not submitted contracts in time for the team or their RFA's and UFA's to participate in the Free Agent Auction will not be allowed to submit contracts of only 1 year in length (Immediate RFA's)

Competition Committee Contract Management and Nullification

The Competition Committee will have the authority and wide latitude to intervene in the management of existing franchise contracts for orphan franchises and for franchises whose existing contracts cause said franchise to exceed the salary cap

This intervention includes, but is not limited to, nullification of contracts and re-structuring of contracts beyond the parameters of restructuring as set forth in the league contract rules
In the case of managing existing contracts on orphan teams, this authority extends only for the puposes of making said orphan franchise more competitive if necessary or for the purpose of bringing the orphan's roster into salary cap compliance
In all cases of intervention, the Competition Committee will act in the spirit of making the most minimum of changes required to alleviate whatever situation prompted their intervention
In no case will the Competition Committee have authority to sign new contracts into existence on any franchise

Future Rules Changes

Should any future revisions of the League Contract Rules cause any existing (at the time of revision) contracts signed under any previous version of the Contract Rules to come into conflict with the revised rules:

Those existing contracts will either be grandfathered or will be uniformly adjusted by intervention of the Competition Committee to bring them into parameters set forth in any revised rules
Should this occur, Competition Committee will act in the spirit of remedying the situation in whichever way causes both the least amount of intervention and results in the most fairness and league parity