Longtime NFC GM Strongly Backs Rule Proposal Made By Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers want to see changes made to the NFL’s legal tampering period.

Among several potential rule changes, the Steelers proposed being able to hold a one hour video call with free agent players instead of with just their agent. They also proposed being able to schedule travel when agreeing to terms with a player, instead of having to wait until the official start date of the new league year to do so.

It’s all about communication for the Steelers, especially with high-priced contracts getting thrown around. They’ll need support from around the league to get their rule passed, though.

Pittsburgh certainly has that from longtime Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who fully backed the rule proposal.

“Pittsburgh presented a rule change that says, during that negotiating period, you can get on an hour-long Zoom call with a prospect and the agent, which I think is a really cool idea,” Schneider said, as transcribed by PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh. “When you’re spending that kind of money, you really want to look somebody in the eye and have them talk through their injury history, or if they’ve had some issues off the field. You want to be able to really talk through it with a person.”

The Steelers didn’t make a ton of moves during the legal tampering period earlier this month, agreeing to contracts with Kenneth Gainwell and Malik Harrison over the two-day period while a handful of players departed Pittsburgh.

But if the Steelers get their way with this rule change, perhaps it will open them up to doing more business when the legal tampering period rolls around next year.