What is the story about?
Here’s
a look at some important dates to keep in mind on the NFL calendar over the next several months. All times are shown in Arrowhead Time.
| 2/17 to 3/3 |
Beginning this date through 3:00 p.m. on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players. |
| 2/23 to 3/2 |
NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. |
| 3/9 to 3/11 |
Teams are permitted to enter into contract negotiatons with player agents (or the players themselves) who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 contracts on March 11. |
| 3/11 | The 2026 League Year begins at 3 p.m. Unrestricted free agents may sign contracts with any team. The trading period begins. No trades can officially take place before this time. Prior to the deadline: – Teams must be under the 2026 salary cap. – Teams must exercise 2026 options on all players with option clauses in their contracts. – Teams must submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents. – Teams must submit a minimum salary tender to players with fewer than three accrued free-agent seasons. |
| 4/17 | Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. |
| 4/20 | Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs. |
| 4/22 | Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets. |
| 4/23 to 4/25 |
The NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. |
| 5/1 | Deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year option on players selected in the first round of the 2023 Draft. |
| 5/1-5/4 or 5/8-5/11 |
Teams are permitted to hold one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp between one of the two indicated weekends. |
For a look at the whole year, click here.
