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DeutschNFL 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
“I’ve said to the physios” – Cole Palmer shares major fitness update
Cole Palmer has revealed he’s feeling the best he’s felt in “four of five months” following Chelsea’s win against Aston Villa.
The Blues ran out emphatic 4-1 winners at Villa Park, to move above Liverpool and back into fifth place as the race for Champions League football continues.
Chelsea responded brilliantly to going a goal down in the opening minutes with Joao Pedro scoring a hat-trick, and Palmer also getting on the scoresheet.
Cole Palmer shares fitness update
Palmer has struggled with a groin injury this season, which caused him to miss virtually the entire first half of the campaign.
Since returning in December he’s had some good moments, but things haven’t appeared quite right, and he didn’t have a good performance against Arsenal.
Palmer was back on the scoresheet against Villa. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
However, speaking before the big win, Palmer provided a fitness update, and revealed this is the best he’s felt in months.
“I still feel a bit away from being [the best Cole Palmer],” he said as quoted on X.com.
“I’ve said to the physios this week that this is the best I have felt in four or five months.
“I can do everything on the pitch now so it is just about finding my rhythm.”
Palmer has previously stated he’s yet to play a game fully fit this season, but put in an encouraging performance at Villa Park.
The England international now has five goals and an assist in his last league five games, and Chelsea will be hoping that form continues.
Joao Pedro delivers once again
Whilst Palmer is continuing to work on getting back to his best, Pedro has continued to go from strength to strength under Liam Rosenior.
The 24-year-old has now scored 14 league goals this season, and has eight in his last eight Premier League matches.
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“I’ve said to the physios” – Cole Palmer shares major fitness update
Pedro will likely be on the bench against Wrexham in the FA Cup on Saturday, but the Blues will need him at his brilliant best against PSG next week.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
🚨 Blow for Bayern, Harry Kane injured!
Bad news for the Bavarians.
After a perfect week and the victory in the Klassiker, Vincent Kompany will have to deal with some bad news for tomorrow night's match.
This Thursday at a press conference, the Belgian coach announced that Harry Kane will be unavailable for the championship match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
"𝙄𝙩𝙤, 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙨, and 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙚 are unavailable. Harry received a blow to the calf and is not yet recovered. It's just a knock, nothing serious for the moment, but he might miss a day before he can join us," he explained.
However, on a positive note, Vincent Kompany also announced the return of Manuel Neuer in goal, who had been injured for several matches.
It remains to be seen whether the English striker will be fit for the Champions League round of 16 between Bayern and Atalanta Bergamo.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.