How many games must a player be on full-pay status to become eligible for unrestricted free agency?

In the context of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, a player must be on full-pay status for at least six games during a season to be eligible for unrestricted free agency. This requirement is in place to ensure that the player has demonstrated a sustained level of participation and commitment to their team over the course of the season.

Being on full-pay status indicates that the player has been active and contributing to the team, which is critical in determining their value as a potential free agent. If a player has been on full-pay status for fewer than six games, they may not qualify for unrestricted free agency, and instead might be treated as a restricted free agent or even remain under their current contract terms. This structure helps manage player movement and contracts within the league and protects teams from having players quickly exit their contracts with minimal playing time.