The 2024 NFL campaign is entering the final stages of the regular season.
But for some teams, fans are hoping for bigger and better things in 2025 after a disastrous 2024 season.
On Thursday, League announces important dates For the 2025-2026 league year, fans of the team who are already thinking about next year will do well to keep these dates in mind as we head into the offseason.
January
January 6th
Clubs may begin signing free agents ahead of the 2025 season. This includes Canadian Football League players.
Jan. 6 is also the first day for teams to renegotiate or extend the rookie contracts of drafted rookies selected in either round of the 2022 NFL Draft or undrafted rookies signed in 2023. Any permissible renegotiation or extension of player contracts is prohibited. is considered a rookie contract and is not subject to the rules restricting rookie contracts.
Additionally, on January 6, teams may exercise the fifth-year option of a player selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
January 15th
This is the date underclassmen must apply for special eligibility for the 2025 NFL Draft.
January 30th
AT&T Stadium, East-West Shrine Bowl in Arlington, Texas.
February
February 1st
Senior Bowl, Hancock-Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.
February 18th
Starting February 18, teams will be able to tag players with either a franchise tag or a transition tag. This will last until March 4th at 4pm ET.
February 24th – March 3rd
NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
march
March 4th
This is the deadline for teams to name franchise or transition players. All tags must be applied before 4:00 PM ET.
March 10th to 12th
Get ready for tampering!!!
Starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on March 10th and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET on March 12th, teams will contact authorized representatives of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of the deadline. Permitted to negotiate contracts. Player contracts for 2024 will be announced on March 12th at 4:00 PM ET.
During the “legal tampering” period, unrepresented free agent (UFA) candidates (“unrepresented players”) who are not represented by an NFLPA-certified contract advisor will be required to represent their new team's front office personnel (head coach and player). (excl.) are permitted to communicate directly with other members of the club's coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player's non-representative player status.
Potential unrestricted free agents cannot sign a contract with a new club until March 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
March 12th
Once again, Happy New Year.
On March 12th, the 2025 NFL league year begins. This means free agency officially begins at 4pm ET. Additionally, the trade window opens at 4:00 PM ET for the 2025 NFL league year after all 2024 contracts expire.
The first day of the 2025 league year ends on March 12th at 11:59:59 PM ET. Each team will receive a personnel notification containing all transactions submitted to the league office between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. 59:59 PM ET on March 12th.
April
April 16th
This is the deadline for teams to time, test, visit, interview, or physically examine draft-eligible players at their club facilities.
April 18th
Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 23rd
Deadline for former teams to exercise their right of first refusal for restricted free agents who sign offer sheets.
This date is also the deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video or phone) or physically examine draft-eligible players at any location.
April 24th to 26th
of new england patriots It's on time!
(See, I had to sneak in something Patriots-related).
The 2025 NFL Draft will be held over three days in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
May
May 1st
This is the deadline by which teams can exercise the fifth-year option on players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft.
July
July 15th
A team that designates a franchise player has until 4:00 p.m. ET to sign that player to a multi-year contract or extension. If no such contract is in place, a player may only sign a one-year contract with his former club for the 2025 season, with such contract extending until the conclusion of the team's last regular season game. I can't do that.
