If an RFA hasn't signed a qualifying offer from another team by June 15th, what can happen?

The correct answer indicates that if a restricted free agent (RFA) has not signed a qualifying offer from another team by June 15th, the original team retains the right to withdraw their tender. This means that the team can decide not to offer the contract that provides the RFA with a chance to negotiate with other teams. Withdrawing the tender essentially negates the RFA's ability to explore offers from other teams, thus allowing the original team to have more control over that player's status moving forward.

The option suggesting that the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent is inaccurate because the timeline for becoming an unrestricted free agent is tied to specific conditions and actions, which have not been met in this case. Simply not signing the qualifying offer by June 15th does not automatically grant the player unrestricted free agency.

The statement about the team needing to extend the tender is also incorrect. The team is not obligated to extend the tender if the player is not engaged in negotiations or if they choose to withdraw it.

Lastly, the notion that the player is automatically released does not apply here. The tender can be withdrawn, but it does not equate to an automatic release; the player’s status would revert to being under the control of the original team unless they