Key Dates for the 2024 NFL Offseason: Free Agency, NFL Combine & More
If you're getting some Deja Vu vibes as we start the NFL offseason, you're definitely not alone. The Kansas City Chiefs are repeat Super Bowl Champions, the Chicago Bears once again are sitting with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, the free agent RB list looks awfully similar to 2023, and the league will look to tackle some familiar issues such as officiating and kickoffs.
Here's a handy look at some key dates for the 2024 NFL offseason and what they mean for the league over the next six months.
Key Dates for the NFL Offseason
Feb 20th, 2024 – Franchise Tags Began
Starting at 4:00 PM ET on 2/20, NFL teams began to designate franchise and transition tags.
Feb 27-March 4th, 2024 – NFL Scouting Combine
This yearly NFL Combine event occurs at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN where the most promising NFL Draft prospects participate in interviews, workouts, and on-field drills.
On-field workouts begin on February 29th and will be televised on NFL Network beginning at 3:00 PM ET. Here’s the lineup:
- Thursday, February 29th, 3 pm ET – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
- Friday, March 1st, 3 pm ET – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends
- Saturday, March 2nd, 1 pm ET – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
- Sunday, March 3rd, 1 pm ET – Offensive Linemen
March 5th, 2024 – Franchise Deadline
The deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players is at 4:00 PM ET.
March 11-13, 2024 – Negotiating Period for Pending Unrestricted Free Agents
From NFL.com, “During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“Unrepresented Player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an Unrepresented Player.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 13.”
March 13th, 2024 – 2024 League Year Begins
Starting at 4:00 PM ET on 3/13, the 2024 league year commences, with free agent signings and trades now all legal.
March 24-27, 2024 – Annual League Meeting
All 32 NFL team owners will gather in Orlando, FL to discuss and vote on any new rules. Up for discussion in the NFL offseason include revamping the kickoff, evaluating technology in officiating, and the international build-out of the NFL.
April 1, 2024 – Workouts Begin for New Head Coaches
NFL clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2023 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 15th, 2024 – Offseason Workouts Begin
Teams with returning head coaches can start their workout programs.
April 19th, 2024 – RFA Deadline
Restricted free agents have until this day to sign offer sheets from their teams. Also, teams have until April 24th to refuse the offer sheets.
April 25th -27th, 2024 – NFL Draft
This year’s draft will be held in Detroit, MI with the following schedule.
- Round 1: Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET
- Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. ET
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 27, noon ET
May 2, 2024 – Fifth-Year Option Deadline
Clubs have until May 2nd of this NFL offseason to exercise the Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2021 Draft.
May 3-6 or May 10-13, 2024 – Post-Draft Rookie Minicamp
Clubs may elect to hold a three-day, post-draft rookie minicamp on one of the two weekends following the NFL Draft.
May/June 2024 – OTAs and Mandatory Minicamp
Teams can host OTAs and mandatory minicamp
Late-July 2024 – Training Camp
We’ll know more specifics later but training camps open for all NFL teams.
