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The NFL offseason offers all 32 teams an opportunity to improve their coaching staff and bolster their rosters. Teams hope to find the most undervalued players on the market, inking them to contracts in hopes of being their conference's representatives in the Super Bowl.
But when can all of these roster gymnastics even begin? What does that timeline look like?
Let's break down the key dates of NFL free agency.
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Key Offseason Dates in February
February 20 - Tag Window Opens
On February 20, all 32 NFL teams were allowed to begin issuing their sole franchise or transition tag. Depending on the type, these tags can give teams the power to extend an impending free agent to a one-year deal, sometimes without giving the player any flexibility to refuse the deal or even explore signing with the other 31 teams.
The difference between the franchise and transition tag is complex, but we've done our best to break it down here. Put simply, tags are a very useful tool for teams to retain a star free agent, often for less than their actual worth.
February 27 - Scouting Combine Begins
The NFL's annual Scouting Combine begins in Indianapolis, Indiana. At this major offseason event and annual tradition, coaches, executives, and scouts gather to watch collegiate prospects go through a series of tests related to their medical, physical, and mental capabilities.
These tests don't tell the same story as game film, but they do give teams additional information ahead of April's draft. One of the combine's biggest perks is that teams can meet with players directly, as well as watch two or more players showcase their skills side-by-side.
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Key Offseason Dates in March
March 5 - Tag Window Closes
This is the last opportunity for NFL teams to issue a franchise or transition tag to an impending free agent. While some teams have already issued (or vowed to issue) the tag, many others will wait until the last day before deciding.
Consideration extends beyond a simple financial evaluation. Player morale can be impacted by the franchise tag process because it strips players of their negotiating power and sometimes binds them to a team for which they do not want to play.
After this deadline passes, tagged players will still have plenty of time to either sign their tag or negotiate an extension that nullifies the tag.
The Bengals have used the franchise tag on WR Tee Higgins, per source.
(1st by @RapSheet )— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 26, 2024
March 11 - Tampering Window Opens
At 12 p.m. EDT, all NFL teams are permitted to engage in contract negotiations with certified agents of players scheduled to hit free agency on March 13. In theory, the tampering period gives ample time for all teams to engage in negotiations without creating an enormous rush, but the fact of the matter is that many teams and agents will already have handshake agreements in place when the tampering period opens.
Even though the new league year doesn't begin until March 13, many NFL fans consider March 11 to be the start of free agency. Dozens and dozens of deals will be agreed upon throughout the first day of the tampering period.
March 13 - New League Year Begins
The 2024 league year officially begins at 4 p.m. EDT, at which point the league processes many trades and signings that were finalized during the tampering period (or earlier).
This benchmark on the timeline isn't nearly as hectic as March 11, but it still does bring a stream of previously unreported moves (as well as previously reported moves becoming official). Given that many handshake agreements were made in the days, weeks, or even months leading up to March 13, there will certainly be a surge of moves made official when the clock strikes four.
Breaking: The 2024 NFL salary cap is set for a whopping, record-breaking $255.4 million, sources tell @CBSSports. That's up more than $30 million from last year's cap number and well beyond all the recent estimates. Story to come.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 23, 2024
Key Offseason Dates in April
April 1 - Some Offseason Workouts Begin
On the first day of April, the NFL allows all teams with a new head coach to begin offseason workout programs. Specifically, this option is only available to teams that made their hiring after the 2023 regular season concluded.
For what it's worth, an interim head coach who had "interim" removed from their title after the season ended is considered a new head coach. This means that Antonio Pierce's Raiders can begin their offseason workouts on April 1. The same goes for the Chargers, Seahawks, Panthers, Falcons, Titans, Commanders, and Patriots.
April 15 - Remaining Offseason Workouts Begin
Two weeks after teams with new head coaches can begin their offseason workouts, the remaining 24 teams may convene for workouts.
Offseason workouts occur in phases, with teams transitioning from meetings and conditioning to on-field workouts and drills to full-team organized activities.
April 19 - RFA Offer Sheet Deadline
This is the league's deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. RFAs are usually younger NFL players who don't have enough service time to be unrestricted free agents, often due to being undrafted, injured, or released.
Teams are allowed to place restricted tenders on their RFAs in order to receive compensation if those players decide to sign an offer sheet elsewhere on or before April 19.
April 25 - NFL Draft Begins
The annual NFL Draft begins in Detroit, Michigan. This three-day event has become quite the affair, garnering excessive TV audiences and drawing fans from all over the world.
At the draft, all NFL teams will be given the opportunity to select eligible NCAA prospects to their rosters. The draft lasts seven rounds and each team automatically gets one pick per round. The order is determined by the inverse of the 2023 standings. The number of selections a team ultimately makes will depend on compensatory picks earned, picks acquired and traded away, and any potential picks lost due to penalties imposed by the NFL.
The NFL will hold Round 1 on April 25, with NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes all providing live coverage. Rounds 2 and 3 are held on April 26 while Rounds 4 through 7 take place on April 27.
Top Five QB Prospects Of The 2024 NFL Draft: Scouting Reports And Analysis https://t.co/k1NFtCFvv7 pic.twitter.com/copU8ga9LP
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) February 29, 2024
Key Offseason Dates in May
May 2 - Fifth-Year Option Deadline
Players selected in the first round of the 2021 draft were signed to four-year contracts with a team option for the 2025 season. By May 2 this year, NFL teams must make a decision on the fifth-year option for all of their eligible players.
Given that each player's fifth-year option already has an established value, this can be a pretty easy decision for many NFL teams; they simply have to decide whether a player is worth more than their option value. For other teams, though, it's not as clear. Plenty of discussions will be held before this deadline, and we can expect at least a few surprising decisions.
Of the 32 players selected in the first round of the 2021 draft, 31 can have their options exercised or declined. The only exception is offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, who is no longer eligible because he was waived by his first team, the Raiders.
May 3 or May 10 - Rookie Minicamps Begin
Every NFL team is allowed to hold one three-day rookie minicamp after the draft concludes. This year, these minicamps can either start on May 3 or May 10.
Minicamps allow rookies to showcase themselves to their new teams, orient themselves amongst a new coaching staff and playbook, and get an early jump on competing for a roster spot before cutdown day near the end of the summer.
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