What's Up With all these "Future" Contracts???

[dolphan39]

Dolphins Sign Three Players To "Futures" Contracts For The 2004 Season

I guess this is what started this thread:
Dolphins Sign Three Players To "Futures" Contracts For The 2004 Season

The Miami Dolphins announced today that they have signed defensive tackle Nate Bolling, safety Antowoine Sanders and tight end Josh Whitman to “future†contracts for the 2004 season

Nate Bolling Nate Bolling.....Wake Forest.....6'3", 288.....5.04/40

Antowoine Sanders