Countdown to the NFL new league year: Crucial offseason dates you can’t miss
Missing the NFL already? Don’t fret - the 2025 action is closer than you think. Here are the key dates you need to know in the offseason.
It’s officially the worst time of the year - the NFL offseason. Sure, we have other sports to keep us entertained, but it’s just not the same. So, in a desperate attempt to keep the NFL excitement alive, we focus on the key dates for the offseason.
That’s not to say they’re any less important. In fact, there’s already a significant offseason date coming up as early as tomorrow. Tuesday, February 18, at 4 p.m. ET, the NFL franchise tag window opens, and remains open until March 4. Shortly after that, on March 12 (just over three weeks away), the new league season officially begins as free agency opens!
Sam Darnold and Tee Higgins may be franchise tagged instead of hitting free agency, but @MattVerderame says there are fewer players likely to be tagged this offseason than usual https://t.co/hBattJYWhe
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 14, 2025
Here are the other key dates you should know for this offseason.
Mark your calendars - important dates for the 2025 NFL offseason
- February 18: Franchise tag window opens
- February 24-March 3: NFL combine
- March 4: Franchise tag window closes:
- March 10-12: NFL legal tampering
- March 12: NFL free agency, new league year begins
- March 30-April 2: NFL league meetings
- April 7: Offseason workouts begin (for teams with new HCs)
- April 18: Restricted free agent offer sheet deadline
- April 21: Offseason workouts begin (for teams with returning HCs)
- April 24-April 26: NFL draft
- May 1:Fifth-year option deadline for 2022 first-round picks
- May 2-5 or May 9-12: Rookie minicamps
- Mid-May: NFL schedule release
- May 20-21: Spring league meeting
- June 1: June 1 cuts
- July 15: Franchise tag extension deadline
- Mid-to-Late July: Training camp opens
- Early August: NFL preseason begins
After the franchise tag window opens, we have the NFL Combine to look forward to, which will begin ion Monday, February 24 in Indianapolis and run until Tuesday, March 3. The next day, the franchise tag window closes.
Travis Hunter looks READY for the NFL Combine.
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 4, 2025
Hunter is reportedly “targeting” between a 4.25 and a 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine this year.
Hunter is reportedly “planning on” entering and working out as a CB at the combine.
However Hunter reportedly “won’t budge as of… pic.twitter.com/rui7nmPAtF
The following week, the 52-hour legal tampering period begins, when teams can enter contract negotiations with the agents of NFL unrestricted free agents. Then, on March 12, free agency opens and the “new year” officially begins.
In April, offseason workouts begin - on the 7th for teams with new head coaches, and on the 18th for teams with returning head coaches.
From April 24 to April 26, the 2025 NFL Draft will take place at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Rookie minicamps begin in May, and the 2025 schedule will be released later that month. In the summer, we’ll have OTAs and training camps, followed by the start of the preseason in August! See, it’s not so bad. There’s a lot to look forward to yet.
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