As it turns out, we might have been wrong about being wrong.

Earlier this morning, we posted an item indicated that, based on Article XIX of the CBA, players need five (not six) years of accrued service in order to qualify for unrestricted free agency in the uncapped year.

But a reader has pointed out to us Article LVI of the CBA, which contradicts this conclusion.  (Strangely, the version of the CBA available on the NFLPA web site doesn’t even include an Article LVI.  The CBA posted on the NFLPA web site stops at Article XVII.)

We tracked down the December 6, 2006 draft of the CBA, which indeed includes an Article LVI.

Under Article LVI, Section 2, the required number of years for unrestricted free agency is six years if the uncapped year is preceded by a year with a salary cap.  Under Article LVI, Section 3, the requirement will be five years only if there’s no salary cap in the year prior to the “final league year” under the agreement. 

So, in 2010, players with five accrued seasons will be restricted free agents.  Per Article LVI, however, the tender offers will be higher.  For players tendered at the second round level or lower, the tender increases by $50,000.  For players tendered at the first-round or first- and third-round levels, the tender increases by $100,000.

We apologize for the error, and we sure hope that there is no other provision of the CBA that conflict with the language in Article LVI that conflicts with the language in Article XIX.