The offseason dates NFL fans need to know for the upcoming year
The 2024 NFL campaign is headed into the final stretch of the regular season.
But for some teams, a dismal 2024 season has their fans looking ahead to bigger and better things in 2025.
On Thursday the league announced critical dates for the 2025-2026 league year, and fans of teams who are already thinking about next year might want to keep these dates in mind for the offseason.
January 6
Clubs may begin signing free-agent players for the 2025 season. This includes players from the Canadian Football League.
January 6 is also the first date for teams to renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2022 NFL Draft, or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2023. Any permissible renegotiated or extended player contract will not be considered a rookie contract and will not be subject to the rules that limit rookie contracts.
Also on January 6, teams may exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
January 15
This is the date by which underclassmen must apply for Special Eligibility in the 2025 NFL Draft.
January 30
East-West Shrine Bowl, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.
February 1
Senior Bowl, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.
February 18
Starting on February 18, 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 4.
February 24-March 3
NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 4
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 10-12
Let’s get ready to tamper!!!
Starting at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on March 10 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. Eastern on March 12, 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 2024 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 12.
March 12
Happy New Year, again!
On March 12 the 2025 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 2025 NFL League Year at 4:00 p.m. Eastern, after expiration of all 2024 contracts.
The first day of the 2025 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.
April 16
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 18
Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 23
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 New England Patriots are on the clock!
(Look, I had to sneak in something Patriots-related).
The 2025 NFL Draft takes place over these three days in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
May 1
This is the deadline for teams to exercise their Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft.
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.
