NFL Important Dates - 2023 Offseason

The NFL recently released its calendar for the 2023 season with plenty of key dates highlighted.

FEBRUARY

Sunday, Feb. 5 — Pro Bowl Games, Las Vegas, Nevada

Sunday, Feb. 12 — Super Bowl LVII, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Tuesday, Feb. 21 — Beginning this date through 4 p.m., New York time on March 7 clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.

Feb. 28-March 6 — NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Ind.

MARCH

Tuesday, March 7 — Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 — During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 14 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2022 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 15.

During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations.

No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4 p.m., New York time, on March 15.

Wednesday, March 15 — The 2023 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4 p.m., New York time.

Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2023 on all players who have option clauses in their 2022 contracts.

Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit Qualifying Offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.

Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2022 contracts who have fewer than three Accrued Seasons of free agency credit.

Top 51 Rule is in effect. All clubs must be under the 2023 Salary Cap prior to 4 p.m., New York time. All 2022 NFL player contracts will expire at 4:p.m., New York time.

The first day of the 2023 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 15. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 15.

Trading period for 2023. Trading begins at 4 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2022 contracts.

Commencing at 4 p.m., New York time, Clubs may designate up to two Player Contracts that, if terminated on or prior to June 1, 2023, and if not renegotiated after January 9, 2023, shall be treated as if terminated on June 2, subject to the further requirements of CBA Article 13, Section 6(b)(ii)(1).

March 26-29 — Annual League Meeting, The Biltmore, Phoenix, Arizona

APRIL

Monday, April 3 — Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2022 regular season, like the Panthers, may begin offseason workout programs.

Monday, April 17 — Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs, which will include 10 OTA days and one mandatory minicamp.

Wednesday, April 19 — Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.

Friday, April 21 — Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.

Wednesday, April 26 — Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents.

Thursday, April 27 — Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls), or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.

April 27-29 — NFL Draft, Kansas City, Missouri

MAY

Monday, May 1 — Deadline for Clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2020 Draft.

May 5-8 or May 12-15 — 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.

May 22-24 — Spring League Meeting, TBD

Mid-June — Teams wrap up their offseason program.

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