Key dates for 2025 NFL offseason

Here are the key dates to keep in mind during the 2025 NFL offseason…

Feb. 18: TEAMS CAN BEGIN USING FRANCHISE/TRANSIONTAL TAGS

Starting Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. ET, NFL teams can begin designating franchise tag and/or transitional tag players. The most commonly used tag is the exclusive franchise tag, which prohibits a player and their agent to negotiate with any other teams. It pays the player the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year or 120 percent of his previous salary (whichever is greater).

Feb. 24-March 3: NFL SCOUTING COMBINE

The scouting combine brings the entire NFL universe to Indianapolis, giving them a chance to not only see the top draft prospects up close and in person, including meeting with the players, but it’s also where a lot of trades get their roots, as GMs mingle and talk about potential deals.

March 4: DEADLINE FOR FRANCHISE TAG DESIGNATIONS

Teams have until 4 p.m. ET to designate their franchise players.

March 10-12: FREE AGENCY BEGINS

Starting March 10 at 4 p.m., teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with players who will become unrestricted free agents. This is commonly referred to as the “legal tampering” window. However, contracts cannot be signed until 4 p.m. on March 12, which is when the new league year officially begins. Any reported trades that happened during the offseason can also officially be announced by the clubs at the start of the new year.

March 30-APRIL 2: ANNUAL LEAGUE MEETING

All 32 owners gather together in Palm Beach, Fla. to discuss possible rule changes and much more.

APRIL 7: OFFSEASON WORKOUT PROGRAMS BEGIN FOR CLUBS WITH NEW HEAD COACHES

Teams with new head coaches can choose to start their offseason workout programs on April 7. Teams with returning head coaches can begin their offseason programs on April 21.

APRIL 18: DEADLINE FOR RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Players who are restricted free agents have until April 18 to sign offer sheets from their teams. However, teams have an April 23 deadline to refuse the offer sheets.

APRIL 24-26: NFL DRAFT

All eyes will be on Green Bay, Wisc. for the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Giants hold the No. 3 pick in the first round, while the Jets will be selecting seventh overall (barring either team making a trade). Both New York teams could have a need quarterback, and with Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward currently considered the only two blue-chip QB prospects, it will be worth watching to see if either teams makes a move to trade up to select one of those two.

MAY 1: DEADLINE FOR CLUBS TO EXERCISE FIFTH-YEAR OPTIONS

Players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft are eligible for fifth-year options. As far as New York teams are considered, those players are Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson from the Jets, and Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal for the Giants. All players are already under contract through 2025, and the fifth-year option would keep them under contract though 2026, while still allowing a long-term deal to be reached.

MAY 2-5 or MAY 9-12: POST-DRAFT ROOKIE MINICAMP

Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the draft.

JULY 15: DEADLINE FOR CLUBS TO SIGN FRANCHISE TAG PLAYERS TO MULTI-YEAR DEALS

On this day at 4:00 p.m., there is a deadline for clubs to sign franchise tagged players to long-term deals. If no long-term deal can be reached, no new deal can be signed until the end of the 2025 season.

MID-JULY: TRAINING CAMP

Specific dates for each club will be announced at a later time. Teams can have their rookies report seven days prior to the actual “report date” for veterans.