Important Offseason Dates for NFL Teams
May 1: Fifth-Year Option for Players Selected in First Round
This is the Deadline for teams to sign first-round draft picks from the 2023 Draft to a fifth-year option. This allows teams to gain an additional year of service from first-round picks before they are eligible for free agency.
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May 1-4 or 8-11: Post-Draft Rookie Minicamps
Teams are allowed to conduct a three-day rookie minicamp, either Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Monday, on either of the two weekends following the draft.
May 11: Rookie Football Development Programs Begin
All NFL rookies are introduced to the resources the NFL and the NFL Players Association provide. Mandatory topics include:
- A video introduction to the NFL and league policies
- Player benefits and benefit resources
- Player expectations, including the importance of sportsmanship, respect in the workplace, and media responsibilities
- Social responsibility for players, which covers league policies and the ramifications of issues like driving under the influence, or committing acts of domestic violence or sexual assault.
- Maintaining strong mental health and fitness
- Introduction to the health and safety resources available to players and their families
- Rule changes from college to the pros
May 13/14 NFL Schedule Release
The NFL hasn’t announced the exact details, but the league’s schedule for the 2026 season will be announced on one of these dates.
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May 13-17 NFLPA Rookie Premiere
The NFLPA Rookie Premiere is an annual event for the league’s top marketable rookies. This began as a trading card event and has now evolved into a five day event that allows rookies to connect with business opportunities and partners developed by the NFL Players’ Union.
May 19-20 Spring League Meeting
The NFL’s May meeting takes place in Orlando, Florida. Owners discuss proposals to rule changes and other items.
June 1 “June 1 Tender” Date
This is the deadline that allows teams to release or trade players with contract stipulations that require significant salary cap penalties over the next two seasons. Waiting until June 1 gives teams the flexibility to avoid the entire salary cap ‘hit’ for the 2026 season.
June 15 “June 15 Tender” Date
Teams must meet this deadline to retain exclusive negotiating rights for free agents who previously received qualifying offers. They must submit a contract worth 110% of the player’s 2025 salary. This rule lets teams keep negotiating control while giving them the chance to reach a long-term agreement if both sides agree.
July 15 Franchise Player Contract Deadline
Teams that have used a Franchise Player designation for free agents have until this date to sign the player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, teams may only sign the player to a one year contract, and the contract CANNOT be extended until the last date of the 2026 regular season.
July 22 Unrestricted Free Agent Deadline
This is the date the signing period ends for unrestricted free agents who received the “UFA” tender offer from their 2025 team. Following this date and until the 10th week of the season, the team has exclusive negotiating rights.
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