Seattle Seahawks 2016 free agency primer

Photo: Getty Images (L to R) Bruce Irvin, Jeremy Lane, Russell Okung and Brandon Mebane...

The NFL's free agency period officially starts Wednesday March 9, and if history is any guide the Seattle Seahawks' roster could look very different by this time next week.

Last year the Seahawks said goodbye to cornerback Byron Maxwell and guard James Carpenter among others before landing tight end Jimmy Graham in a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Saints on the first day of free agency.

This year Seattle faces a tough test in trying to bring back several key contributors who happen to be unrestricted free agent, including two starters each along the offensive and defensive lines. They also have a number of exclusive rights and restricted free agents.

NFL free agency rules are complicated and nuanced, but in theory they help keep the competitive balance of the league intact. So what do you need to know when free agency kicks off next week? Check out the gallery below to learn the ins and outs of free agency, including some examples from the Seahawks' recent past.

Exclusive rights free agents (ERFA)



Exclusive rights free agents are players whose contracts have expired and who have accumulated less than three overall seasons of NFL tenure. The Seahawks have eight ERFA's in 2016: tight end Cooper Helfet, defensive backs DeShawn Shead (above), Steven Terrell, Marcus Burley and Mohammed Seisay, defensive tackles A.J. Francis and Jesse Williams and linebacker Eric Pinkins. Teams must make a "Minimum Salary Tender" (qualifying offer) before a league deadline or the players become unrestricted free agents with no compensation to the original team if they sign elsewhere. That deadline this year is 1 p.m. Pacific on March 9. less Exclusive rights free agents (ERFA)



Exclusive rights free agents are players whose contracts have expired and who have accumulated less than three overall seasons of NFL tenure. The Seahawks have eight ERFA's in ... more Photo: Grant Halverson, Getty Images Photo: Grant Halverson, Getty Images Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Seattle Seahawks 2016 free agency primer 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

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