The 2012 NFL season is in the books, following the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday night.
And now the most obvious question for all NFL junkies, what's next?
Here's a snapshot look at what's ahead for the Chiefs in 2013.
Feb. 23-26: Combine Timing and Testing, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
300-some top prospects come to showcase their individual skills, both physically and mentally, during their quest to fulfill their NFL dreams. Executives, coaches, scouts and doctors from all 32 NFL teams conduct an intense, four-day job interview, leading up to the NFL Draft in April. Our friend at NFL Network, Mike Mayock describes in more detail, what goes on at the Combine.
Look for tremendous coverage from the Chiefs, as we will head to Indianapolis and cover anything and everything as it pertains to the club!
March 9-11: Teams are allowed to begin contract negotiations with certified agents of players who will be Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) at the end of the current League Year.
March 12: Top-51 Begins. All clubs must be under the salary cap.
During his introductory press conference, new Chiefs general manager John Dorsey alluded to immediately working on the salary cap, "We have Trip MacCracken right now, who is our salary cap analyst, and I have given him some projects. Actually tomorrow morning, he and I are going to get together and build a plan with regards to that," Dorsey said.
March 12: The 2013 League Year, Free Agency and Trading periods begin at 4:00 PM ET
Beginning this Sunday (2/10), I will be posting my A to Z Free Agency report on KCChiefs.com. This series will release 30 intriguing players in 30 days and will kick off our Free Agency coverage, leading up to the much-anticipated free agency season.
April 25-27:NFL Draft, New York City, New York
While Leon Sandcastle thinks he is the Chiefs first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the truth will be revealed as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will officially announce what the Chiefs do with their first overall pick since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970. This is the second time we've held the first pick in any draft (AFL or NFL). The only other time the franchise selected first in any draft, was when Buck Buchanan's name was called with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1963 AFL draft.
May 2013:Mini-Camps/OTAs, with the specific dates yet to be determined
Regardless of the dates, the very first OTA (organized team activity) will be historic, led by new head coach Andy Reid, who prides himself on getting the absolute most out of his players. Whether we're talking RB Jaamal Charles or a 'player to be named later', coach Reid and his staff will maximize the talent of every Chiefs player that buckles his chinstrap from 2013 and beyond.
August 3: Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement, Canton, Ohio
There will be a Sea of Red in Canton, Ohio to celebrate with former Chiefs DT Curley Culp, who was elected into Pro Football's Hall of Fame – 2013 Class on Saturday. Curley follows fellow Chiefs player, tackle Willie Roaf, who played in Kansas City from 2002-2005 and was enshrined with the 2012 Class. Check out Curley Culp's photo gallery.
September 5, 8-9: NFL Kickoff 2013
While we don't know which team the Chiefs will face in their 2013 season opener, the list of non-AFC West rivals that coach Reid's team will play next season is intriguing (with a special asterisk next to his former club in the City of Brotherly Love).
Home- Texans, Colts, Browns, Cowboys and Giants
Away- Jaguars, Titans, Bills, Eagles* and Redskins
