Important 2018 NFL Offseason Dates

Even with the NFL in the midst of the postseason, the offseason is already underway, as head coaching and general manager vacancies are quickly being fgilled. As such, it’s worth looking ahead to the NFL’s offseason calendar for an idea of which dates will be more important during the next several weeks and months. With teams filling out their coaching staffs and preparing to make changes to rosters, there are plenty of days to circle on the calendar.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the NFL’s key offseason dates and deadlines:

January

• January 15
  • Deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the 2017 NFL draft.
• January 27
  • Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
• January 28
  • Assistant coaches for teams in the Super Bowl – who have previously interviewed for a head coaching job – can interview a second time with the club no later than the Sunday before the Super Bowl.

February

• February 5
  • 2018 waiver system begins.
    
• February 13
  • Teams may sign CFL players whose 2017 contracts have expired.
• February 20
  
  • First day for teams to designate a franchise or transition player.
• February 27-March 5
  • The NFL scouting combine will be held in Indianapolis.

March

• March 6
  • As of 3pm CT, teams can no longer designate a franchise or transition player.
    
• March 12-14
  • Team may contact agents and negotiate contracts for players who will become unrestricted free agents on March 14. Free agent contracts can’t be signed yet, but informal agreements can be reached.
• March 14
  • The 2018 league year begins, and free agency opens. By 3pm CT, teams must make decisions on player options, submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents, submit minimum tenders to exclusive rights free agents, and be under the 2018 salary cap. Trades can be made and free agents can be signed after 3pm CT.
• March 25-28
  • The NFL owners meetings will be held in Phoenix, Arizona.

April

• April 20
  • Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
• April 25
  • Deadline for previous club to exercise right of first refusal (ie. match offer sheets) on restricted free agents.
• April 26-28
  • The NFL draft will be held in Arlington, Texas.

May

• May 3
  • Teams exercising fifth-year options on 2015 first-round picks must do so prior to May 3.

July

• July 16
  • Deadline for teams to work out multi-year contracts with free agents designated as franchise players.