The NFL recently announced important dates for the remainder of 2022 on through the 2023 offseason. Here are some dates to file away during these periods:
Key dates remaining on the 2022 NFL calendar:
- Franchise tag extension deadline: July 15, 2022
- Deadline for players given UFA tenders to sign with other teams: July 22
- Roster cutdown from 90 to 85 players: August 16
- Roster cutdown to 80 players: August 23
- Roster cutdown to 53 players: 3pm CT, August 30
- Post-cutdown waiver claims due: 11am CT, August 31
- NFL trade deadline: 3pm CT, November 1
- Vested veterans (if cut) become subject to waivers: November 2
- Deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign tenders: November 15
Key dates for the 2023 offseason:
- Franchise and transition tag period: February 21-March 7, 2023
- Legal tampering period: March 13-15
- Start of 2023 league year and free agency: 3pm CT, March 15
- Offseason workouts: April 3 (for teams with new head coaches); April 17 (for all other teams)
- Restricted free agency signing period ends: April 21
- Last day to match RFA offer sheets: April 26
- 2023 NFL draft: April 27-29
- Deadline to exercise fifth-year options: May 1
The NFL is again using the three-tiered cutdown structure, using the 90-to-85-to-80-to-53 setup for a second straight year. The in-season deadline pertaining to tagged players has not been a storyline since Le’Veon Bell‘s 2018 holdout, which led to the first skipped season by a tagged performer in 20 years. Jessie Bates (Bengals), Orlando Brown Jr. (Chiefs), Mike Gesicki (Dolphins) and Dalton Schultz (Cowboys) remain attached to the tag. Anyone who has not signed their tender would be prohibited from playing this season if unsigned by the mid-November date. Gesicki and Schultz have signed their tenders.
Justin Houston is the only player still attached to a UFA tender, which the Ravens assigned last month. He has until July 22 to sign with another team. Otherwise, the Ravens will have exclusive negotiating rights until November 15, when Houston must sign or be prevented from playing in 2022.
Next year’s draft will take place in Kansas City, Missouri. On the whole, the 2023 dates are in line with the NFL’s usual offseason calendar.
After its second-ever decline, in 2021, the salary cap is expected to balloon from its $208.2MM 2022 perch. Free agents can begin official negotiations with other teams beginning at 11am CT on March 13. No deals can become official until the start of the 2023 league year two days later.
Wide receivers represent some of next year’s franchise tag candidates. D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin are entering contract years. Although the Seahawks, 49ers and Commanders, respectively, want to extend the pass catchers, the tag represents a last-ditch option. Next year will represent the third offseason for the usage- and performance-based fifth-year option system, which features fully guaranteed options.