2017 NFL key offseason dates
The 2017 NFL offseason is here, and teams must make some critical decisions in the coming months.
Here's a full rundown of the noteworthy dates before the start of the regular season:
Feb. 15: First day teams can apply franchise or transition tag to impending free agents
Feb. 28-March 6: NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis
March 1: Deadline for teams to apply franchise or transition tag to impending free agents (by 4 p.m. ET)
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March 7: Teams can begin negotiating with impending unrestricted free agents, though contracts cannot be completed until March 9
March 9: The league year and free agency begin at 4 p.m. ET. Also, all teams must decide whether to exercise 2017 contact options for all players who have them and must be under the 2017 salary cap. Teams also must submit qualifying offers to their respective restricted free agents should they want to retain right of first refusal/compensation.
March 26-29: Annual league meeting in Phoenix.
April: Expected schedule release prior to draft (no exact date given)
April 3: Teams with new head coaches can begin offseason workouts
April 17: Teams with returning head coaches can begin offseason workouts
April 21: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 27-29: 2017 NFL draft in Philadelphia (First round on April 27, second and third rounds on April 28, fourth-seventh rounds on April 29)
May 5-8, 12-15: Rookie minicamps (each team must select one of three-day windows)
May 15: Rookie development programs begin
May 18-21: NFL Players Association Rookie Premiere event in Los Angeles
May 22-24: Spring league meeting in Chicago
May-June: Organized team activities (dates vary by team)
June: Mandatory minicamps (dates vary by team)
June 1: Deadline to apply "June 1 tender" to unrestricted free agents who received qualifying offer who received a right of first refusal only
June 15: Deadline for clubs to withdraw qualifying offer from restricted free agents and still maintain exclusive negotiating rights
July: Training camps begin (dates vary by team)
July 15: Deadline for any franchise tag player to reach multiyear contract with team (by 4 p.m. ET). Any player who does not do so can sign only a one-year contract with his team, and the contract cannot be extended until after the team's last regular-season game.
Aug. 3: Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio
Aug. 5: Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio