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NFL offseason calendar 2026: Important dates, free agency, draft, more
Some NFL teams have made some early moves to adjust their roster before the 2026 season. But we’re still in the quirky window between last season, and the start of the next season’s NFL calendar.
After the scouting combine, the NFL turns attention to free agency, then the NFL draft in late April.
And before you know it, we’ll have another NFL season on our hands.
Here are some important dates to know heading into the next season:
NFL offseason calendar 2026
Franchise tag window closes: March 3
Teams have until 4 p.m. ET to franchise or transition tag a pending free agent.
NFL legal tampering begins: March 9-11
The negotiation process begins between NFL teams and agents on players hitting the open market.
NFL free agency, new league year: March 11
The new league year begins at 3 p.m. ET, signaled by the first wave of free agent deals agreed to during the tampering window.
NFL league meetings: March 29 to April 1
NFL owners, lead executives and coaches will meet in Phoenix for the annual league meetings to discuss rule changes and other matters.
Offseason workouts begin (for teams with new head coaches): April 6
Ten NFL teams with new head coaches get a head start on their offseason programs this year.
Restricted free agent offer sheet deadline: April 17
Offer sheets presented to restricted free agents must be signed by this date.
Offseason workouts begin (for teams with returning HCs): April 20
The remaining 22 teams in the league with returning head coaches will begin their offseason programs.
NFL draft: April 23 to April 25
The NFL’s premier offseason event will be held in Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers. Round 1 will be on April 23, Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24, and rounds 4-7 will be on April 25.
Fifth-year option deadline: May 1
NFL teams have until this date to opt into or decline the fifth-year contract options on rookie contracts for their first-round picks from the 2023 NFL draft.
Rookie minicamps: May 1-4 or May 8-11
NFL teams will hold minicamps on either date for their incoming rookie classes.
NFL schedule release: Mid-May
Another exciting time during the NFL offseason: the annual schedule release where teams know their slate of games, and eager fans start planning out their fall weekends.
Spring league meeting: May 19 to May 20
NFL owners, lead executives and coaches will meet in Orlando for the annual spring meetings to discuss rule changes and other matters.
Roster cuts: June 1
Teams can release a player with an unfavorable contract to affect their respective salary caps on this date. Teams can also designate a player to be cut by this date, and inform them beforehand.
Franchise tag extension deadline: July 15
Players on a franchise tag have until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET to sign a contract extension or extend their contract holdout. If the tag is signed, a player must wait until after the season to pursue an extension.
Training camp opens: Mid-July
NFL training camps will open for all teams in mid-July, signaling the ramp up to the 2026 season.
NFL preseason begins: Early August
The Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio is the annual kickoff to the NFL’s preseason.
Roster cutdowns: Late August
NFL teams will reduce their training camp rosters of 90 players to 53 players with 16 or 17 practice squad players for the regular season.
NFL season opener: Early September
Traditionally, the Super Bowl winner hosts the first game of the season on Thursday night after Labor Day, with the remaining teams playing over the weekend. It’s unclear at this time which teams and when the season opener will be played at time of this publication.
Super Bowl LXI: Feb. 14
The 2026-27 season will end on Valentine’s Day, the latest an NFL season has ended, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL offseason calendar 2026: Free agency, draft, season schedule
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal - the fans' verdict
We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Brighton and Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
Home team fans
Nigel: The reason Brighton lost is not Arsenals fault for the way they played, it's Brightons fault for not scoring when they had the chance! Fabian is moaning and blaming Arsenal but your players didn't score! Simple!
Chris: Toothless up front again. A familiar theme this season. Uncle Tony needs to crunch the data and sign us a goalscorer or two this summer ... please.
Fran: Played recently well tonight. Arsenal's defence kept them in the game. We dominated and they created very little, The referee and linesman were absolutely awful. Didn't seem to know what was going on around them.Completely ruined the whole game.
Graham: Brighton play some excellent football but play a team of mainly midfielders who are extremely limited in goalscoring which costs them valuable points. They need to splash out the cash for a top class striker such as Ivan Toni. They might then qualify for the Champions league.
Sam: Decent performance until the final third. Too many players not sharp enough - Mitoma needs to work on his finishing, no idea what has happened to Georginio and we do look blunt. Arsenal and the referee though, my god. Time wasting, diving, rolling on the floor and the referee allowed this to happen. Disgusting to be brutally honest. I can't believe that Arsenal, with their tactics, are going to win the league. Never left a game as angry.
Away team fans
Vince: Good result, poor performance. What ever happened to all that attractive passing football from Arteta's earlier days at the managerial helm? We bought Gyokeres to give us the Plan B option of no-nonsense, route one football but now that seems more the norm than the exception. That said, like most fans, I'll gladly accept it if we win the title. Which I suppose is why Arteta has turned this into Plan A.
Steve: It looked like we were using this game as a training session for our defense. Disappointing but 3 points works for me.
Mark: Pivotal night possibly in race for prem. With trip to Germany hope Arteta leaves almost all starting 11 at home for fa cup tie. No need for them to travel regardless of result and one of few times left in season we can take that liberty. A few days at home to recharge is massive as we look mentally tired in so many of recent games.
Gabriel: Heart was in my throat. Credit to Brighton for how they played, but we need more attacking intent. I saw nothing special in attack, and if we want to win this league, we need more from the boys up top. End of the day, 7 points clear, let's stay humble Gunners
Matthew: Arsenal showed character tonight against Brighton. Away games like this are never easy, especially against a team that plays good football and presses well. The important thing is that Arsenal managed the game well and stayed disciplined. These are the kinds of matches that win you titles — grinding out results even when it's not perfect. If Arsenal are going the league , performances like this are exactly what the team need.
Rakitic decide entre Xavi, Iniesta y Modric: "Solo tuve un año con él"
Iran v Australia: Women’s Asian Cup 2026 – live
Matildas lead 3-0 at half-time on the Gold Coast
Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email
It’s obviously going to case a shadow over tonight’s match so, as a reminder, The Guardian is bringing you live updates on the crisis in the Middle East.
“These women are prisoners,” says Cyrus Jones, a human rights activist who will be attending the match. “Iranian security is up on their floor [of the hotel] at night. They can’t leave their rooms. They can’t use the public bathrooms. They’re monitored when they go for breakfast, when they get on the bus. They’re monitored in a way no other players from other teams are.
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