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NFL offseason 2026: Key dates for Draft, free agency, franchise tags, and more
The NFL offseason is upon us. Here are the dates you need to know
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
But 31 teams are now chasing them.
That process begins this week, as the NFL’s first major date on the offseason calendar begins as teams can tag players starting on Tuesday. Here are all the key offseason dates you need to know as the 2026 NFL season looms.
February
February 17
Starting on February 17, teams can begin to tag players with either the Franchise or the Transition tag. This runs through 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 3.
February 23-March 3
NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Also, the biggest part of this week is not what we see on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, but rather what happens at night during hushed conversations at places like High Velocity or Prime. More on that in a moment.
March
March 3
This is the deadline for teams to designate Franchise or Transition Players. All tags must be applied prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
March 9-11
It is tamper time, friends.
Starting at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. Eastern on March 11, teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 12.
During the “legal tampering” period, a prospective Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“unrepresented player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new team’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an unrepresented player.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is allowed to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 11.
And regarding what we said above? Lots of hushed conversations in Indianapolis lead to deals being quickly announced. One of those “unspoken rules” kind of things …
March 11
Happy New Year, again!
On March 11 the 2026 NFL League Year begins. This means that at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Free Agency officially begins. In addition, the trade window opens for the 2026 NFL League Year at 4:00 p.m. Eastern, after expiration of all 2026 contracts.
The first day of the 2026 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on March 12. Teams will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m. and 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 12.
March 29 - April 1
Annual League Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.
April
April 6
Teams that hired a new head coach are allowed to begin offseason workout programs.
April 15
This is the deadline for teams to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
April 17
Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20
Teams with returning head coaches can begin offseason workout programs.
April 22
Deadline for prior teams to exercise a right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
This date is also the deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.
April 24-26
The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock!
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place over these three days in Pittsburgh, PA.
May
May 1
This is the deadline for teams to exercise their Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2023 Draft.
May 1-4 OR May 8-11
Teams can elect to hold their one three-day post-NFL Draft Rookie Minicamp through either Friday to Sunday, or Saturday through Monday, on one of the two weekends following the 2026 NFL Draft.
May 11
Rookie Football Development Programs begin.
May 13-17
NFLPA Rookie Premier, Los Angeles, CA.
May 19-20
Spring League Meeting, Orlando, FL.
July
July 15
Any team that designated a Franchise Player must sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension by 4:00 p.m. Eastern. If such a deal has not been signed, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2025 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the team’s last regular season game.
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