NFL Insider: Teams 'Making More Mistakes' in Free Agency Because They Rush Contracts

There is reportedly a belief within the NFL that the implementation of the legal tampering period has made it tougher for teams to properly evaluate their free-agent signings.

According to ESPN's John Keim, a league source suggested that a lack of in-person visits has led to more bad decisions being made in free agency than in the past, saying: "A lot of teams are making more mistakes because no one is flying guys in anymore. They've made it such a feeding frenzy."

An anonymous NFL front office person seemed to agree with the assessment and added: "Familiarity is more important than talent. You know specifically what they can and can't do."

The legal tampering period started in 2012, and it drastically changed the way free agency is handled.

Free agency used to be a longer process that featured players taking visits to multiple teams and weighing their options, and while that is still the case for some players, many teams now try to strike first before players get a chance to talk to any other teams.

Signing players based on tape and an assumption of how they will fit can work at times, but it is also a dangerous game since it can be tough to gauge a player's attitude and personality without actually meeting with them.

Tons of contracts were agreed to on the first day of the legal tampering period this offseason, meaning millions of dollars were committed to players whom teams barely had the opportunity to speak with.

Of course, mistakes have happened in free agency ever since the process started, with or without the legal tampering period.

One of the biggest free agency miscues of all time took place back in 2009 when Washington inked defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to what was a massive seven-year, $100 million deal at the time.

Haynesworth was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro with the Tennessee Titans, but he lasted just two seasons in Washington, playing in 20 games.

Free agency always has been and always will be a game of chance, but the legal tampering period has seemingly made it even more of a crapshoot than it was previously.