If there isn't a new collective bargaining agreement by March, the salary cap goes away in 2010. And if the cap goes away, the requirement for unrestricted free agency jumps from 4 years to 6 years.
Weaver is in his fifth NFL season. Avant is in his fourth. Both would be restricted free agents if 2010 is uncapped.
"It's a major, major negative for fourth- and fifth-year veterans," said an NFL agent who represents several players in that category. "If you just look at the lack of activity in the restricted free-agent market in previous years, it's clear that being unrestricted has a dramatic impact on your value. And both the agents and clubs know it."
Weaver's situation is a really strange one. The guy was an unrestricted free agent last March when he signed a 1-year deal with the Eagles. Now, if there's no new labor deal, he'll be only a restricted free agent, which means the Eagles would have the right to match any offers he receives, which means he probably won't be receiving any other offers.
The Eagles have 14 players whose contracts will be up after this season. Four - safety Sean Jones, linebackers Jeremiah Trotter and Tracy White, and defensive end Jason Babin - will be unrestricted free agents regardless of what the years-of-service qualification is. Two others - linebacker Akeem Jordan and Sav Rocca - will be restricted free agents regardless.
The other eight - Weaver, Avant, linebackers Chris Gocong and Omar Gaither, offensive linemen Nick Cole and Max Jean-Gilles, tight end Alex Smith and injured cornerback Ellis Hobbs - would be unrestricted free agents under the current terms of the CBA, but restricted free agents if 2010 is uncapped.
Eagles president Joe Banner said he is proceeding as if 2010 will be uncapped.
