Which will happen first?

[Nepa]

I think the Bengals can sign certain free agents, such as Justin Simmons, now and not wait for Monday to negotiate a contract. I was reading about the Patriots signing OT Chukwuma Okorofor today. The article said he could be signed now because had been released by the Steelers, rather than just have an expiring contract coming up on March 13. Simmons had been released by Denver, trying to save cap dollars. In other words, his contract was terminated by Denver, and so he doesn't have to wait until the legal tampering period on Monday to arrange for a new contract.