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NFL 2026 Offseason Calendar
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- NFL 2026 Offseason Calendar
Now that Super Bowl LX is over, it's officially the offseason for all 32 NFL teams. Attention turns to preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency, followed by offseason workouts. One important event that isn't listed here is the 2026 NFL schedule release, which usually comes at some point in early- to mid-May.
Here is an overview of important NFL dates for 2026 as released by the NFL Operations department. All times are Eastern and all dates are subject to change.
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February
Feb. 17Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
Feb. 23-March 2NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
March
March 3Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 9-11During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, ET, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11, clubs 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. ET, on March 12.
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A prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor ("Unrepresented Player") is permitted to communicate directly with a new club'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 permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 11.
March 11The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m. ET.
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Trading period for 2026 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, after expiration of all 2025 contracts.
The first day of the 2026 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 12. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m. ET, and 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11.
March 29-April 1Annual League Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.
April
April 6Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
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April 15Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
April 17Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
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.
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April 23-25NFL Draft, Pittsburgh, Pa.
May
May 1Deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year option for players selected in the first round of the 2023 Draft.
May 1-4 / May 8-11Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the Draft.
May 11Rookie Football Development Programs begin.
May 13-17NFLPA Rookie Premiere, Los Angeles, Calif.
May 19-20Spring League Meeting, Orlando, Fla.
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June
June 1Deadline for prior club to send "June 1 Tender" to its unsigned restricted free agents who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only for such player to be subject to the CBA's "June 15 Tender" provision.
June 15Deadline for club to withdraw higher qualifying offer to restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting lower "June 15 Tender" of one-year contract at 110 percent of the player's prior-year Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior-year contract carried forward unchanged).
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Late JuneRookie Readiness Program to be held at individual clubs.
July
July 15At 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2026 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club's last regular season game.
Mid-JulyClubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies (defined as a player who has never signed an NFL player contract with a club in a prior league year) beginning seven days prior to the club's mandatory reporting date for veteran players.
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Clubs may require first-year players (defined as a player who signed an NFL player contract with any club in a prior league year, but who does not have a pension-credited season) to report on the designated reporting date for all rookies, or at any time thereafter, including, but not limited to, the designated reporting date for veteran quarterbacks and injured players, or the designated reporting date for all other veteran players.
Veteran quarterbacks and "injured players" (as defined in CBA Article 21, Section 6) may be required to report to the club's preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies. At 4:00 p.m. ET, signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders. After this date and until 4:00 p.m. ET, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.
July 22At 4:00 p.m. ET, on July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp whichever is later) signing period ends for unrestricted free agents to whom a "UFA Tender" was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m. ET, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.
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Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: New 3-Round Forecast for Super Bowl Week
Related: 7 Veterans Who Could Benefit From a Thin Quarterback Draft Class
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
