NFL 2026 offseason schedule: When is the draft and when does free agency start? Key dates explained

Super Bowl LX is in the books. The Seattle Seahawks are champions. And across the league, there is no time to sit still. The NFL calendar never really stops. As soon as one season ends, the next one quietly begins. Coaches are reviewing film, general managers are working the phones, and agents are preparing for a busy March. For fans, this stretch is about possibility. Cap space, draft picks and free agency can change everything in a matter of weeks.

The key NFL offseason dates that will shape the 2026 season

The first major checkpoint is the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, set for Feb. 23 through March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Draft prospects will go through workouts, medical checks and interviews as teams finalize their boards. The franchise and transition tag deadline follows on March 3 at 4 p.m. ET. Teams can use the tag to keep a player from hitting the open market while trying to negotiate a long-term deal. According to Over The Cap’s projected numbers, the quarterback tag is expected to cost $47.321 million. Wide receivers are projected at $28.824 million, defensive ends at $27.322 million and cornerbacks at $21.414 million. Even specialists are expensive, with kickers and punters projected at $6.9 million.
Free agency headlines start before free agency officially begins. The legal tampering period runs from March 9 at noon ET through March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. During that window, teams can negotiate with agents of unrestricted free agents. Contracts can be agreed upon, but nothing becomes official until the new league year opens on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Later in the month, league owners meet in Phoenix from March 29 through April 1 for the annual league meeting. Rule changes will be discussed and voted on, including another potential proposal involving the tush push.
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23 through April 25 in Pittsburgh near Acrisure Field. Round 1 is scheduled for Thursday night, with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday. Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, with the Las Vegas Raiders projected to hold that selection. Rookie minicamps will follow on either May 1 through 4 or May 8 through 11, depending on the team. Then comes the 2026 schedule release in mid-May, which has become its own offseason event.
The Seahawks may be celebrating now, but the road to next season has already begun.

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