The Kansas City Chiefs saw their season come to a disappointing end in 2025, but the work to return to the league’s mountaintop is already underway.
Here’s a look at some important dates to keep in mind on the NFL calendar over the next several months.
February 17: Beginning this date through 3:00 p.m. CT on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
February 23 – March 2: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 3: Prior to 3:00 p.m. CT deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 9 – March 11: Teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negations with the certified agents of players (or the player himself, if they do not have an agent) who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 contracts at 3 p.m. CT on March 11. This is referred to as the negotiating period.
March 11: The 2026 League Year begins at 3 p.m. CT, meaning that unrestricted free agents are permitted to sign contracts with any team. The onset of the new League Year also means the following:
Prior to the 3 p.m. CT deadline, teams must exercise options for 2026 on all players who have an option clause in their contracts.
Additionally, prior to the 3 p.m. CT deadline, teams must submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents with expiring contracts in order to retain a right of first refusal (and compensation) should the player sign an offer sheet with another team.
The trading period begins at 3 p.m. CT. No trades can officially take place before this time.
Prior to 3 p.m. CT, all teams must be under the 2026 salary cap.
Lastly, prior to 3 p.m. CT, teams must submit a minimum salary tender to players with expiring contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agent credit in order to retain exclusive negotiating rights.
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22: Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
April 23 – 25: The NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
May 1: Deadline for clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2023 Draft.
May 1 – 4 or May 8 – 11: Teams are permitted to hold one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp between one of the two indicated weekends.
