The NFL offseason is set to get underway this Monday, March 15. The Silver and Black will be getting prepared to reload their roster for the 2021 NFL season.
Here's a look a some key dates and deadlines for the NFL calendar this offseason, including free agency, the draft, and training camp.
March 15-17
- Legal negotiating window ahead of free agency opens. Teams are permitted to contact and enter contract negotiations with players who become unrestricted free agents on March 17.
March 17
- 2021 NFL league year, trading period, and free agency opens at 4PM ET. - Teams can sign new free agents and prior trades become official.
- Teams must exercise all 2021 options on players who have options clauses in their 2020 contracts.
- Teams must submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents.
- All teams must be under the salary cap before 4PM ET.
April 5
- Teams with new head coaches can begin offseason workout programs
April 19
- All teams with returning head coaches can begin offseason workout programs.
April 23
- Last day of the restricted free agent signing period.
April 29 - May 1
- 2021 NFL Draft from Cleveland, OH.
July 15
- Deadline for teams that designated a Franchise Players to sign a multi-year contract extension is 4PM ET. After this, player can only sign one-year contract that cannot be extended until after the team's final regular season game.
August 5-9
- Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.
September 9
- NFL Kickoff Game.
All dates and times are tentative and subject to change.
