What does the 25% Increase rule apply to?

The 25% Increase rule applies specifically to rookie contracts within the context of the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This rule establishes that the maximum salary increase for a rookie's contract in subsequent years is capped at 25% of the previous year's salary. This means that a player who is on a rookie deal can only see a maximum increase in their salary by that percentage when they are eligible for a renegotiation or an extension after their initial contract period.

It's important to note that this rule helps to maintain a structured salary progression for rookies, ensuring that their contracts remain manageable within the salary cap constraints of the team. The rule essentially prevents teams from making exorbitant salary jumps that might destabilize the team's financial planning, while also providing rookies an opportunity for fair compensation as they prove themselves in the league.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of contract negotiations or salary structures that do not have this specific percentage increase guideline. For instance, veteran salaries are typically governed by different rules and are not restricted by a flat maximum percentage increase like rookie deals are.