NFL offseason calendar 2026: Important dates, free agency, draft, more
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NFL offseason calendar 2026: Important dates, free agency, draft, more
Safid Deen, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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3 min read
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Some NFL teams have made some early moves to adjust their roster before the 2026 season. But we're still in the quirky window between last season, and the start of the next season's NFL calendar.
After the scouting combine, the NFL turns attention to free agency, then the NFL draft in late April.
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And before you know it, we'll have another NFL season on our hands.
Here are some important dates to know heading into the next season:
NFL offseason calendar 2026
Franchise tag window closes: March 3
Teams have until 4 p.m. ET to franchise or transition tag a pending free agent.
NFL legal tampering begins: March 9-11
The negotiation process begins between NFL teams and agents on players hitting the open market.
NFL free agency, new league year: March 11
The new league year begins at 3 p.m. ET, signaled by the first wave of free agent deals agreed to during the tampering window.
NFL league meetings: March 29 to April 1
NFL owners, lead executives and coaches will meet in Phoenix for the annual league meetings to discuss rule changes and other matters.
1. New York Jets - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
(Jeffrey Becker, Imagn Images)
2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
(Samantha Madar, Columbus Dispatch)
3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)
(Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)
4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
(Joseph Maiorana, Imagn Images)
6. Cleveland Browns – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
7. Washington Commanders – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech
(Nathan Giese, Avalanche-Journal)
8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
(Michael Caterina, Imagn Images)
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
(Barbara J. Perenic, Columbus Dispatch)
11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
(Brianna Paciorka, News Sentinel)
12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
(Alex Martin, Greenville News)
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
(Jeff Le, Getty Images)
14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
(Duane Burleson, Getty Images)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
(Joseph Maiorana, Imagn Images)
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Offseason workouts begin (for teams with new head coaches): April 6
Ten NFL teams with new head coaches get a head start on their offseason programs this year.
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Restricted free agent offer sheet deadline: April 17
Offer sheets presented to restricted free agents must be signed by this date.
Offseason workouts begin (for teams with returning HCs): April 20
The remaining 22 teams in the league with returning head coaches will begin their offseason programs.
NFL draft: April 23 to April 25
The NFL's premier offseason event will be held inPittsburgh, home of theSteelers. Round 1 will be on April 23, Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24, and rounds 4-7 will be on April 25.
Fifth-year option deadline: May 1
NFL teams have until this date to opt into or decline the fifth-year contract options on rookie contracts for their first-round picks from the 2023 NFL draft.
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Rookie minicamps: May 1-4 or May 8-11
NFL teams will hold minicamps on either date for their incoming rookie classes.
NFL schedule release: Mid-May
Another exciting time during the NFL offseason: the annual schedule release where teams know their slate of games, and eager fans start planning out their fall weekends.
Spring league meeting: May 19 to May 20
NFL owners, lead executives and coaches will meet in Orlando for the annual spring meetings to discuss rule changes and other matters.
Roster cuts: June 1
Teams can release a player with an unfavorable contract to affect their respective salary caps on this date. Teams can also designate a player to be cut by this date, and inform them beforehand.
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Franchise tag extension deadline: July 15
Players on a franchise tag have until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET to sign a contract extension or extend their contract holdout. If the tag is signed, a player must wait until after the season to pursue an extension.
Training camp opens: Mid-July
NFL training camps will open for all teams in mid-July, signaling the ramp up to the 2026 season.
NFL preseason begins: Early August
The Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio is the annual kickoff to the NFL's preseason.
Roster cutdowns: Late August
NFL teams will reduce their training camp rosters of 90 players to 53 players with 16 or 17 practice squad players for the regular season.
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NFL season opener: Early September
Traditionally, the Super Bowl winner hosts the first game of the season on Thursday night after Labor Day, with the remaining teams playing over the weekend. It's unclear at this time which teams and when the season opener will be played at time of this publication.
Super Bowl LXI: Feb. 14
The 2026-27 season will end on Valentine's Day, the latest an NFL season has ended, at SoFi Stadium inLos Angeles.
