Important 2019 Offseason Dates

Even with the NFL in the midst of the postseason, the offseason is already underway, as head coaching and other staff vacancies are quickly being fgilled. As such, it’s worth looking ahead to the NFL’s offseason calendar for an idea of which dates will be more important during the next several weeks and months. With teams filling out their coaching staffs and preparing to make changes to rosters, there are plenty of days to circle on the calendar.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the NFL’s key offseason dates and deadlines:

January

• January 19
  • East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.
• January 19
  • NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena, California.
• January 26
  • Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
• January 27
  • Assistant coaches for teams in the Super Bowl – who have previously interviewed for a head coaching job – can interview a second time with the club no later than the Sunday before the Super Bowl.

February

• February 4
  • 2019 waiver system begins.
    
• February 12
  • Teams may sign CFL players whose 2018 contracts have expired.
• February 19
  
  • First day for teams to designate a franchise or transition player.
• February 26-March 4
  • The NFL scouting combine will be held in Indianapolis.

March

• March 5
  • As of 3pm CT, teams can no longer designate a franchise or transition player.
    
• March 11-13
  • Team may contact agents and negotiate contracts for players who will become unrestricted free agents on March 13. Free agent contracts can’t be signed yet, but informal agreements can be reached.
• March 13
  • The 2019 league year begins, and free agency opens. By 3pm CT, teams must make decisions on player options, submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents, submit minimum tenders to exclusive rights free agents, and be under the 2019 salary cap. Trades can be made and free agents can be signed after 3pm CT.
• March 24-27
  • The NFL owners meetings will be held in Phoenix, Arizona.

April

• April 19
  • Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
• April 24
  • Deadline for previous club to exercise right of first refusal (ie. match offer sheets) on restricted free agents.
• April 25-27
  • The NFL draft will be held in Nashville, Tennessee.

May

• May 2
  • Teams exercising fifth-year options on 2016 first-round picks must do so prior to May 2.

July

• July 15
  • Deadline for teams to work out multi-year contracts with free agents designated as franchise players.