BRADY will receive interest as NFL free agency begins.

LOS ANGELES — Down, set … wait?

A lot of people around the NFL are expecting the league to push back this week’s scheduled start of free agency in light of the coronavirus outbreak, following the lead of virtually every other sports league. The belief: The league will temporarily pause the ticking countdown clock.

As it stands, the legal tampering period — when teams and players can talk about potential deals — starts at 7 a.m. Central time today, followed by the official start of free agency at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The possible delay isn’t the only reason this year is different. The most successful quarterback in league history could be on the open market. New England’s Tom Brady, winner of six Super Bowl rings, is scheduled to become a free agent and could have a long line of suitors.

But it’s not all about Brady. Some lesser-known players are in line to get big paydays too, such as cornerback Byron Jones (currently with Dallas),

guard Joe Thuney (New England) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Pittsburgh).

Whereas some teams have an enormous amount of salary-cap space — Miami, Indianapolis, Buffalo, Tampa Bay and the New York Giants all have at least $78 million to work with — others are already close to bumping their heads on the $200-million salary ceiling. San Francisco, Kansas City, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Atlanta and Pittsburgh all have less than $15 million in wiggle room.

Some of the big-name free agents won’t be going anywhere. New Orleans, for instance, is expected to work out a new deal with quarterback Drew Brees before free agency begins, and Kansas City is expected to apply the franchise designation to defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Denver has franchised safety Justin Simmons, and Jacksonville has done the same with pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue.

There will be elite pass rushers to be had, however. Seattle’s Jadeveon Clowney, a former No. 1 overall pick, figures to hit the open market, and the Los Angeles Rams will have to try to keep linebacker Cory Littleton and outside linebacker Dante Fowler.

There’s a possibility the Patriots could lose Devin McCourty, although they are expected to fight hard to keep that coveted safety in their lineup. Thuney, a two-time Super Bowl winner who has never missed a game, could wind up elsewhere as the highest-paid guard in history.

Amari Cooper has been a star receiver for the Cowboys, but there’s a good chance another franchise will outbid Dallas for his services. Then again, this is such a deep receivers draft, that clubs might choose to go the more economical route of drafting a developing wideout themselves.

Then, there’s Philip Rivers. The longtime Charger is done with that club and is hoping to close out his career elsewhere, possibly in Indianapolis where he would be reunited with Colts Coach Frank Reich, his onetime offensive coordinator.