NFL offseason calendar 2025: Important dates, what to know for free agency, draft, more
It's the NFL offseason, in name-only.
While there aren't games taking place, the action off the field is set to ramp up, with signings, trades, cuts, roster decisions, draft picks and so much more all to be made between now and the next regular season's kickoff in September.
In between all of that, we'll see workouts, training camps and a schedule release.
There are seven months between the Super Bowl's conclusion and the start of Week 1, but almost all the dates on the calendar are booked since the league plans in advance.
So circle those dates and start the countdown. The 2025 regular season will be here before we know it.
Here's a look at all the important dates, deadlines and more on the 2025 NFL offseason calendar.
NFL offseason calendar 2025
- Franchise tag window opens: Feb. 18
- NFL combine: Feb. 24 to March 3
- Franchise tag window closes: March 4
- NFL legal tampering begins: March 10
- NFL free agency, new league year: March 12
- NFL league meetings: March 30 to April 2
- Offseason workouts begin (for teams with new HCs): April 7
- Restricted free agent offer sheet deadline: April 18
- Offseason workouts begin (for teams with returning HCs): April 21
- NFL draft: April 24 to April 26
- Fifth-year option deadline for 2022 first-round picks: May 1
- Rookie minicamps: May 2-5 or May 9-12
- NFL schedule release: Mid-May
- Spring league meeting: May 20 to May 21
- June 1 cuts: June 1
- Franchise tag extension deadline: July 15
- Training camp opens: Mid-to-Late July
- NFL preseason begins: Early August
- NFL roster cutdown: Late August
When does the 2025 NFL regular season begin?
The NFL regular season is expected to begin on Thursday, Sept. 4, if previous seasons are any indication.
Traditionally, the Super Bowl winner hosts the first game of the season on Thursday night after Labor Day with the remainder of the teams clashing over the weekend.
The schedule announcement is expected to come in mid-May.