Today, 06:53 AM
2026 NFL Offseason Key Dates
The 2026 NFL offseason is underway, with a series of critical dates shaping team strategies and player movement. Key events include:
February 17: The franchise and transition tag window opens. Teams may designate players for the franchise or transition tag.
February 23 – March 2: The NFL Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis, where top draft prospects are evaluated.
March 3 (4 p.m. ET): The franchise/transition tag deadline. Teams must decide whether to tag players before free agency begins.
March 9–11 (12:00 noon – 3:59:59 p.m. ET): The legal tampering period. Teams may contact and negotiate with agents of pending unrestricted free agents.
March 11 (4 p.m. ET): The 2026 League Year officially begins, marking the start of free agency and the trading period. All 2025 contracts expire, and teams can sign free agents and execute trades.
March 29 – April 1: The Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, where owners, coaches, and executives discuss league rules and policies.
April 6: Teams that hired a new head coach after the 2025 season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 15: Deadline for teams to conduct testing, interviews, and physical exams with draft-eligible players at their facilities.
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20: Teams with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22: Deadline for teams to exercise the right of first refusal on restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
April 23–25: The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
May 1: Deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option on players selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
May 1–4 or May 8–11: Teams may hold rookie minicamps.
July 15 (4 p.m. ET): Deadline for teams to sign franchise-tagged players to multiyear contracts.
Mid–late July: Training camps open, with rookies reporting up to seven days before veterans.
The 2026 NFL offseason is underway, with a series of critical dates shaping team strategies and player movement. Key events include:
February 17: The franchise and transition tag window opens. Teams may designate players for the franchise or transition tag.
February 23 – March 2: The NFL Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis, where top draft prospects are evaluated.
March 3 (4 p.m. ET): The franchise/transition tag deadline. Teams must decide whether to tag players before free agency begins.
March 9–11 (12:00 noon – 3:59:59 p.m. ET): The legal tampering period. Teams may contact and negotiate with agents of pending unrestricted free agents.
March 11 (4 p.m. ET): The 2026 League Year officially begins, marking the start of free agency and the trading period. All 2025 contracts expire, and teams can sign free agents and execute trades.
March 29 – April 1: The Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, where owners, coaches, and executives discuss league rules and policies.
April 6: Teams that hired a new head coach after the 2025 season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 15: Deadline for teams to conduct testing, interviews, and physical exams with draft-eligible players at their facilities.
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20: Teams with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22: Deadline for teams to exercise the right of first refusal on restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
April 23–25: The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
May 1: Deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option on players selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
May 1–4 or May 8–11: Teams may hold rookie minicamps.
July 15 (4 p.m. ET): Deadline for teams to sign franchise-tagged players to multiyear contracts.
Mid–late July: Training camps open, with rookies reporting up to seven days before veterans.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
