The 2023 NFL season officially saw its curtains close as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58, 25-22. The next NFL regular-season game will not kick off until early September.
Before next season, though, there is the offseason. Here’s a calendar for everything you’ll need to know for the coming months.
2024 NFL Offseason Schedule
NFL Scouting Combine
One of the biggest processes in the scouting process for the 2024 NFL Draft is the NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place in Indianapolis. It allows players to interview and audition for all 32 teams.
All times Eastern.
Feb. 29
Defensive linemen and linebackers work out at 3 p.m.
March 1
Defensive backs and tight ends workout at 3 p.m.
March 2
Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs workout at 1 p.m.
March 3
Offensive linemen work out at 1 p.m.
New League Year & Free Agency
Feb. 20
Teams can begin franchise tagging players at 4 p.m. The franchise tag is a one-year, fully guaranteed contract extension. Players can be tagged only twice.
March 5
Teams have until 4 p.m. for franchise tag designations.
March 11
Starting at noon, teams are permitted to begin contract negotiations with pending unrestricted free agents. Essentially, tampering is legal so long as the player has an expiring contract.
March 13
The 2024 NFL league year officially starts at 4 p.m. After the league year officially starts, unrestricted free agents (or their agent, if they are an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor) can sign with new teams. Also, teams are allowed to engage in trades again.
MORE: Best Fits for the Top Remaining Free Agents After the NFL Draft
Offseason Workout Programs
The first on-field work by NFL teams comes in the spring in the form of offseason workouts.
Teams with new head coaches have the opportunity to start their workout programs two weeks earlier than teams with retained head coaches. Here’s when each team can begin their offseason workouts:
April 1
Teams with a new head coach following the 2023 regular season can begin offseason workout programs.
April 15
Teams with a retained head coach can begin offseason workout programs.
NFL Draft
April 25-27
The 2024 NFL Draft is taking place in Detroit over three days. The Chicago Bears held the top selection and drafted Caleb Williams. Day 1 includes just the first round, Day 2 includes both Rounds 2 and 3, and Day 3 includes Rounds 4-7. Check out Pro Football Network’s complete 2024 NFL Draft grades for all seven rounds.
Fifth-Year Option Deadline
May 2
Former first-round picks from the 2021 NFL Draft must have their fifth-year option picked up by May 2. If their option is not picked up, their contract will not extend one more year.
Rookie Minicamps
Teams will hold a three-day camp for rookies on the two weekends following the NFL Draft. It is up to each team which weekend they choose, as they can only have one minicamp.
NFL Schedule Release
While teams know their 2024 opponents already, the official schedule will not be released until May 15 at 8 p.m. ET. Find out each team’s slate of opponents here.
OTAs
Organized team activities, also known as OTAs, can be held for a total of 10 days during May and June. It fluctuates from team to team how they’re done, whether it be held in blocks or spread out. Rookie minicamps will be held either May 3-5 or May 10-12, and then OTAs will begin on May 20 and May 21.
MORE: Will the NFL Expand to an 18-Game Schedule?
NFL Supplemental Draft and Franchise Tag Deadline
The NFL officially returned the supplemental draft in 2023, but no players were selected. It’s unknown if the draft will return in 2024, but it took place quietly on July 11 last year.
Any player who’s been franchise-tagged will have until July 17 at 4 p.m. to sign a contract extension with their team. If they don’t, they will have to play the year on the franchise tag.
Training Camp and NFL Preseason
Every team’s training camp start date is associated with when they start the preseason. The first preseason game is the Hall of Fame Game, which will take place on Aug. 1 and feature the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.
MORE: 2024 NFL Strength of Schedule Rankings
After the Hall of Fame Game, the rest of the NFL will likely start the preseason 10 days later. Veterans can’t report any earlier than 15 days before their team’s first preseason game. Rookies can report one week before veteran players.