It’s been a few weeks since the Super Bowl, and while many fans are still enjoying football during the XFL’s inaugural season, the meat of the NFL offseason is rapidly approaching. While the offseason can be boring at times, it provides some very exciting moments. Teams undergo new transformations and the fans are introduced to their team’s newest stars. Here are some important dates that every professional football fan needs to mark on their calendar:
- February 24 – Start of the NFL Combine.
- February 27 – Teams can begin to apply franchise and transition tags.
- March 2 – End of the NFL Combine.
- March 12 – Deadline to use the franchise and transition tags by 4 P.M. eastern time.
- March 16 – Tampering period begins. Teams may negotiate contracts with free agents but not make any official signings.
- March 18 – Tampering period closes at 4 P.M. eastern time, teams may officially make free-agent signings.
- March 29 – League meeting begins in Palm Beach, Florida.
- April 1 – League meeting concludes.
- April 6 – Teams with new head coaches may begin offseason workouts.
- April 20 – All teams may begin offseason workouts.
- April 23 – First day of the NFL Draft.
- April 25 – Last day of the NFL Draft.
- April 27 – XFL players may be signed by NFL teams.
- May 1 – First minicamp session begins. Teams must choose one three day period to host minicamps.
- May 3 – First minicamp session ends.
- May 8 – Second minicamp session begins. Teams that did not host minicamps between May 1 and May 3 now host them.
- May 11 – Second minicamp session ends.
- May 19 – Owners meeting in Marina del Rey, California begins.
- May 20 – Owners’ meeting concludes.
- Mid-July – Training camp begins.
- July 15 – Deadline for franchise and transition tagged players to sign a deal. Players that do not sign their tag can only play on a one-year contract and cannot renegotiate until after the 2020 season.
- August 6 – Hall of Fame game.
- September 5 – Teams must trim roster to 53-men prior to 2 P.M. eastern time.
