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Here's a Look at Some Important Dates on the 2025 NFL Offseason Calendar

The new league year kicks off on March 12

The Kansas City Chiefs saw their season come to a disappointing end in Super Bowl LIX, but the work to return to the league's mountaintop is already underway.

Here's a look at some important dates to keep in mind on the NFL calendar over the next several months.

February 18: Beginning on this date through 3:00 p.m. CT on March 4, teams may designate Franchise or Transition Players.

February 24 – March 3: The NFL Scouting Combine takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

March 4: Teams must designate Franchise or Transition Players by 3:00 p.m. CT on this date.

March 10 – March 12: Teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negations with the certified agents of players (or the player himself, if they do not have an agent) who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2024 contracts at 3 p.m. CT on March 12. This is referred to as the negotiating period.

March 12: The 2025 League Year begins at 3 p.m. CT, meaning that unrestricted free agents are permitted to sign contracts with any team. The onset of the new League Year also means the following:

  • Prior to the 3 p.m. CT deadline, teams must exercise options for 2025 on all players who have an option clause in their contracts.
  • Additionally, prior to the 3 p.m. CT deadline, teams must submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents with expiring contracts in order to retain a right of first refusal (and compensation) should the player sign an offer sheet with another team.
  • The trading period begins at 3 p.m. CT. No trades can officially take place before this time.
  • Prior to 3 p.m. CT, all teams must be under the 2025 salary cap.
  • Lastly, prior to 3 p.m. CT, teams must submit a minimum salary tender to players with expiring contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agent credit in order to retain exclusive negotiating rights.

April 18: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.

April 21: Teams with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.

April 23: Deadline for prior team to exercise right of first refusal on restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.

April 24 – 26: The NFL Draft takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

May 1: Deadline for teams to exercise the Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft.

May 2 – 5 or May 9 – 12: Teams are permitted to hold one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp between one of the two indicated weekends.

For a look at the entire offseason league calendar, click here.

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