Is it possible to have a midweek kind of thing in between the draft and the first late free agency? I have several renegotiations to players and cuts I'm making, and it would help to see if they go through and how that leaves my team financially before going into free agency.

I think I'm not the only one in this boat :)

The free agency technically is a midweek sim, the only actual difference between a midweek sim and a free agency stage is that the players won't usually sign until later in the process. I'm open to adding more late FA weeks if that's something everyone is interested in - but usually the late free agency weeks are a little boring. You shouldn't lose out on any players - it's highly unlikely (though not impossible) that a player will sign in the first week.

Also - the training camp stage you can offer contracts and players will sign as well. And you have until training camp to get your roster down to 60, and until the first preseason game to get your cap under the limit.

(Let me know if you see text to the contrary - it would be inaccurate if it says that anywhere)

It looks like I am not going to try to sign any free agents so I am good. Just thinking that, if a time comes when the free agent market is good, that teams coming off the draft may need time to get their finances in order before they can make a big offer to a free agent, you are at a disadvantage in the first late free agency period if you are hard pressed by the cap, and I think later this could be an issue for some teams. While most FAs will not sign the first week... A few will and that could cost a team an opportunity.

You could also argue that this is just part of the strategy of the game, an argument that I would be happy to agree with!!

I'm going to make that argument :-)

OK, I agree! I was thinking in the first season or two we don't have that much control, as the teams are already set up for us. But, in the offseason we had time to consider these things and make the necessary moves then... I didn't :)

Thanks for all the quick responses.