Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal is confirming via Twitter players can sign contracts Friday, and negotiations on those contracts can begin Tuesday.
Her Tweet, posted at 1:08 p.m. ET, says, "Free agents can start negotiating tomorrow and can sign on Friday, July 29."
She previously reported via Twitter that agents were told teams can sign drafted and undrafted rookies beginning Tuesday, July 26.
The NFLPA is reported to be holding a conference call with players agents that began at 1 p.m. ET. It seems Mullen is receiving information from that call. All of this, of course, is pending the ratification of the proposed CBA. It is expected to be approved, but reports are surfacing the players are being deliberate and going through each item.
No timetable has been set for the formal announcement of the new deal, but ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting there is a conference call scheduled for 3 p.m. ET between the league and all general managers. A similar call is scheduled with the head coaches at 5 p.m. ET. The short timetable suggests Mullen's reports are accurate, being those team personnel would need to act quickly.