Is this Legal? (Postseason player acquisition)

[Gumby]

I know we had some discussion about bringing back Gilly, but he is a clear FA unassigned vet.
But what are the legalities of picking up players off a non-playoff team RECENT-roster guy?

Reason I’m asking is I saw this in the Powder Blues link that was posted…



And this transaction of him being waived by Ratbirds and being picked up by Chargers happened so fast that NYJFL.com hasn’t even had time to change his affiliation. Although his background looks suspiciously Charger colored.
So,
A. Is this legal to go poaching someone who played 10 games for another team (albeit only last in week14) ?
B. Could this have been a private dope-deal between the two Harbaugh brothers & are there any ‘collusion’ type rules in NYJFL-land?

It’s not that I think hell be some great savior, just PS afterall. But it just smells fishy & shady to me. Can other teams waive a 23 Sack player and let their homey/brother pick them up? What happened to waivers etc, do they not apply to suspended waived guys or PS guys?

 

[Gumby]

FYSA: Here is the January nfl waiver wire

 

[ctpatsfan77]

He's on their practice squad, as well.

For eliminated teams, PS contracts expired Monday. Most will sign futures deals making them ineligible to sign elsewhere.

 

[Gumby]

When I first looked at waiver wire, I thought it ran top to bottom. Assumed he was a Monday cut, and all happening real fast.

Relooking now I see it runs opposite, so Cleveland was actually waived BEFORE the weekend games. (1 & 2 Jan 26)

Still interested in confirming rules of road, even if I have to throw away my tin-foil hat.

 

[Username]

He's an extraordinarily bad player, although that doesn't necessarily detract from your point

 

[Pape]

based on what i read if a team is in the playoffs -
any player claimed off the waiver wire is ineligible for the playoff roster
any free agent can be signed / can play

if anyone knows different, lemme know

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

Somehow we'll get docked a first round pick for this...

 

[Ian]

I remember New England signing James Harrison back in 2017 at around the end of December, but that was before the start of the playoffs. Although if I recall correctly, Steelers fans were pretty upset about that one.

 

[Pape]

Steelers fans were pretty upset about that one.

Good.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I remember New England signing James Harrison back in 2017 at around the end of December, but that was before the start of the playoffs. Although if I recall correctly, Steelers fans were pretty upset about that one.

Yeah, the Steelers tears were fantastic.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm fairly certain that players on non-play-off teams cannot be waived for the purpose of play-off teams adding them. This would be a good one to fire at the likes of Doug Kyed or Evan Lazar.

 

[Wozzy]

The brother to brother angle makes it suspicious.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'm fairly certain that players on non-play-off teams cannot be waived for the purpose of play-off teams adding them. This would be a good one to fire at the likes of Doug Kyed or Evan Lazar.

The closest I can see to this is a 2022 proposal, apparently not adopted, to do it the other way around: it would have banned playoff teams from signing such players, not ban teams from releasing them.

 

[NFL Mystique]

I remember New England signing James Harrison back in 2017 at around the end of December, but that was before the start of the playoffs. Although if I recall correctly, Steelers fans were pretty upset about that one.

Was he one of the few defenders to ply well in SB 52? Gilmore was great. But they really missed Hightower in that game. It seemed like he made huge plays in big games.