Storylines and Key Dates for the 2025 NFL Offseason: Free Agency, NFL Combine & More

We have a new Super Bowl Champion and just a handful of days until the NFL machine begins rolling again into the 2025 offseason. Before we get into the timeline, I thought I'd take a look at some of the biggest storylines to watch as the offseason progresses.

The QB Carousel

We know there are six QB vacancies heading into 2025: the Browns, Raiders, Steelers, Jets, Titans, and Giants. Three more teams are likely in decision mode on whether to find a new signal caller in the coming weeks which are the Vikings, Rams, and Saints. The 2025 NFL Draft class isn't as deep at QB as it was last season, with the highest-ranked QB coming off the board at No. 17 on PFF's current big board, so those starting spots will likely be filled during free agency.

Matthew Stafford is signed through 2026 but has no guaranteed money left on his contract. Assuming he returns in 2025, the Rams could rework his contract, cut, or trade him. He's likely to stay put but the rumor mill is already swirling about possible landing spots.

Sam Darnold is the other big domino in this QB free-agent class and could be the perfect fit for the Rams if Stafford ends up elsewhere. He spent last year executing Kevin O'Connell's offense in Minnesota which is closely related to Sean McVay's scheme in LA. Of course, the Vikings could choose to re-sign him or possibly franchise tag and trade the 27-year-old with J.J. McCarthy reportedly "ready to roll" via NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. There's also been some Vegas talk via Adam Schefter regarding Darnold, too.

The other QBs possibly looking for new homes include Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, and Jameis Winston.

What Will the Bengals Do?

Cincinnati is faced with a few high-profile choices this offseason on both sides of the ball but I'll just focus on the fantasy-relevant ones which are huge. WR Tee Higgins played on the franchise tag in 2024 and ended as the WR4 in half-PPR scoring on a per-game basis. He leads this year's WR free agent class and if the Bengals tag him again it will run them about $26 million, or they could let him walk, or re-sign Higgins to a new contract.

Across the field from him, Ja'Marr Chase, last year's WR1 in both overall and per-game scoring has one year left on his contract, so there's some legitimate urgency to get a long-term deal done.

Trade Candidates

Speculation about NFL trades is fun this time of year and we love to see them actually happen. Will any juicy ones go down in the coming months? Hopefully, but here are some notable players who could be dealt this offseason.

• Garrett Wilson - The Aaron Rodgers era is over and the talented WR has to be over three seasons of brutal play. We saw a sideline blowup from Wilson late in 2024, so we'll see if the new coaching regime can make it right or if they decide to deal him for what would be significant draft capital.
• DK Metcalf - There's only one year left on his contract and they could choose to flip Metcalf rather than pay him with Jaxon Smiith-Njigba emerging as the alpha last season.
• Cooper Kupp - He announced trade news himself via social media, indicating it was the Rams' decision and not his own. Kupp may be tough to deal on his current contract considering he missed 18 contests of the last three seasons due to injury. However, the fantasy relevancy should still be there as a WR2 option for a team.
• Deebo Samuel - The 49ers granted Samuel permission to seek a trade last week, coming off one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. There are plenty of teams that could use his after-catch skills.
• Christian Kirk - There's a new coaching staff in Jacksonville and Brian Thomas Jr. established himself as the WR1 in 2024, leaving Kirk too pricy for his recent output. He's just 28 years old and could find himself contributing elsewhere in 2025.

Key Dates for the NFL Offseason

Feb 18th, 2025 – Franchise Tags Began

Starting at 4:00 PM ET on 2/18, NFL teams began to designate franchise and transition tags.

Feb 24-March 3rd, 2025 – 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 27th and will be televised on NFL Network beginning at 3:00 PM ET. Here’s the lineup:

• Thursday, February 27th, 3 pm ET – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
• Friday, February 28th, 3 pm ET – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends
• Saturday, March 1st, 1 pm ET – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
• Sunday, March 2nd-3rd, 1 pm ET – Offensive Linemen

March 4th, 2025 – Franchise Deadline

The deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players is at 4:00 PM ET.

March 10-12, 2025 – 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 12.”

March 12th, 2025 – 2024 League Year Begins

Starting at 4:00 PM ET on 3/12, the 2025 league year commences, with free agent signings and trades now all legal.

March 30th- April 2nd, 2025 – Annual League Meeting

All 32 NFL team owners will gather in Palm Beach, FL to discuss and vote on any new rules.

April 7th, 2025 – Workouts Begin for New Head Coaches

NFL clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2024 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.

April 18th, 2025 – RFA Deadline

Restricted free agents have until this day to sign offer sheets from their teams. Also, teams have until April 23rd to refuse the offer sheets.

April 21st, 2025 – Offseason Workouts Begin

Teams with returning head coaches can start their workout programs.

April 24th -26th, 2025 – NFL Draft

This year’s draft will be held in Green Bay, WI with the following schedule.

Round 1: Thursday, April 24, 8 p.m. ET
Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. ET
Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 26, noon ET

May 1st, 2025 – Fifth-Year Option Deadline

Clubs have until May 1st of this NFL offseason to exercise the Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft.

May 2-5 or May 9-12, 2025 – 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 2025 – OTAs and Mandatory Minicamp

Teams can host OTAs and mandatory minicamp

July 15th, 2025 - Franchise Player Deadline

At 4:00 p.m., New York time is the deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension.

Late-July 2025 – Training Camp

We’ll know more specifics later but training camps open for all NFL teams.