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DeutschNFL offseason calendar 2026: Important dates, free agency, draft, more
Some NFL teams have made some early moves to adjust their roster before the 2026 season. But we’re still in the quirky window between last season, and the start of the next season’s NFL calendar.
After the scouting combine, the NFL turns attention to free agency, then the NFL draft in late April.
And before you know it, we’ll have another NFL season on our hands.
Here are some important dates to know heading into the next season:
NFL offseason calendar 2026
Franchise tag window closes: March 3
Teams have until 4 p.m. ET to franchise or transition tag a pending free agent.
NFL legal tampering begins: March 9-11
The negotiation process begins between NFL teams and agents on players hitting the open market.
NFL free agency, new league year: March 11
The new league year begins at 3 p.m. ET, signaled by the first wave of free agent deals agreed to during the tampering window.
NFL league meetings: March 29 to April 1
NFL owners, lead executives and coaches will meet in Phoenix for the annual league meetings to discuss rule changes and other matters.
Offseason workouts begin (for teams with new head coaches): April 6
Ten NFL teams with new head coaches get a head start on their offseason programs this year.
Restricted free agent offer sheet deadline: April 17
Offer sheets presented to restricted free agents must be signed by this date.
Offseason workouts begin (for teams with returning HCs): April 20
The remaining 22 teams in the league with returning head coaches will begin their offseason programs.
NFL draft: April 23 to April 25
The NFL’s premier offseason event will be held in Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers. Round 1 will be on April 23, Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24, and rounds 4-7 will be on April 25.
Fifth-year option deadline: May 1
NFL teams have until this date to opt into or decline the fifth-year contract options on rookie contracts for their first-round picks from the 2023 NFL draft.
Rookie minicamps: May 1-4 or May 8-11
NFL teams will hold minicamps on either date for their incoming rookie classes.
NFL schedule release: Mid-May
Another exciting time during the NFL offseason: the annual schedule release where teams know their slate of games, and eager fans start planning out their fall weekends.
Spring league meeting: May 19 to May 20
NFL owners, lead executives and coaches will meet in Orlando for the annual spring meetings to discuss rule changes and other matters.
Roster cuts: June 1
Teams can release a player with an unfavorable contract to affect their respective salary caps on this date. Teams can also designate a player to be cut by this date, and inform them beforehand.
Franchise tag extension deadline: July 15
Players on a franchise tag have until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET to sign a contract extension or extend their contract holdout. If the tag is signed, a player must wait until after the season to pursue an extension.
Training camp opens: Mid-July
NFL training camps will open for all teams in mid-July, signaling the ramp up to the 2026 season.
NFL preseason begins: Early August
The Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio is the annual kickoff to the NFL’s preseason.
Roster cutdowns: Late August
NFL teams will reduce their training camp rosters of 90 players to 53 players with 16 or 17 practice squad players for the regular season.
NFL season opener: Early September
Traditionally, the Super Bowl winner hosts the first game of the season on Thursday night after Labor Day, with the remaining teams playing over the weekend. It’s unclear at this time which teams and when the season opener will be played at time of this publication.
Super Bowl LXI: Feb. 14
The 2026-27 season will end on Valentine’s Day, the latest an NFL season has ended, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL offseason calendar 2026: Free agency, draft, season schedule
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan – Italy Prodigy Set For Maiden Derby Della Madonnina Start: No Stranger To Scoring Vs Rossoneri
Inter Milan starlet Francesco Pio Esposito could make his inaugural Derby della Madonnina start when the Nerazzurri take on AC Milan on Sunday.
According to Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the 20-year-old is no stranger to scoring against the Rossoneri, though he has yet to do so at senior level.
With ten points separating the sides ahead of Sunday’s kickoff, Inter could land a knockout blow on Milan’s Scudetto hopes this weekend.
However, the Nerazzurri will have to achieve that without Lautaro Martinez, who remains in the pits with a calf injury.
Inter Milan Ace Pio Esposito Set to Make First Derby Start vs AC Milan
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 23, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Lautaro’s absence leaves a significant hole in Inter’s attack, handing Pio Esposito a golden opportunity to shine on the grandest stage.
Indeed, the Italian prodigy is likely to get the nod in attack ahead of French star Ange-Yoan Bonny, who has just recovered from injury.
Esposito has been in far better form than Marcus Thuram lately, and he will shoulder the burden of expectations on Sunday.
However, if there’s anyone capable of scoring against the Rossoneri, it’s Esposito, who had frequently found the net against them at youth level.
Commanders begin massive roster overhaul
The Washington Commanders are overhauling their roster, much like they did entering the 2024 season.
Don't believe for a second that Adam Peters and Dan Quinn believe their 2025 season was derailed only by injuries. Of course, there were injuries. Moreover, there were many injuries. But Peters and Quinn know the team didn't look like the 2024 team in their home opener against the Giants, and then they were completely outplayed by the Packers in Week 2 on a Thursday Night.
Peters and Quinn also know their defense stunk in 2024 and again in 2025. They made the move to rid themselves of both coordinators, hiring two first-time NFL coordinators in David Blough and Daronte Jones.
The many reserves on the Commanders this season will be new reserves. When injuries hit, the backups were a huge drop off. Quinn and Peters aren't wasting any time. They aren't bringing back Michael Deiter, Robbie Chosen, DeMarcus Walker, Gee Scott Jr, Kevon Seymour, River Cracraft, among others. Last week, Tyler Biadasz was a surprise release. The starting center for 2024 and 2025 dropped off some in 2025, and DQ and AP are determined to raise the bar this season.
The Washington #Commanders released OL Michael Deiter today - with their season over
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) January 7, 2026
Did Adam Peters try to do #49ers GM John Lynch a playoff solid? 👀 pic.twitter.com/aRPJmORBfP
Who have the Commanders signed thus far before free agency begins next week? Punter Tress Way, G/T Andrew Wylie, C/G Nick Allegretti, DE Deatrich Wise and DT Shy Tuttle. That's it, Commanders fans. Don't be surprised if 25 players who played last year do not return to the Commanders in 2025 — or more. Hey, even kicker Jake Moody was not tendered a contract. Now, the Commanders could still choose to sign Moody later, if they desire to sign him. But for now, isn't it more evidence that DQ and AP are moving toward cleaning out much of their current house?
We don't even know if Marcus Mariota is coming back for a third season to back up Jayden Daniels. We do know that at season's end, Mariota spoke very highly of Dan Quinn. However, he also spoke very highly of Kliff Kingsbury, who is no longer with the Commanders.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Massive roster overhaul begins for 2026