The 2026 NFL offseason is officially underway following Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium. For fans, fantasy football managers, bettors, and NFL followers, the next few months bring major roster-shaping events: franchise tags, free agency frenzy, blockbuster trades, and the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
NFL insider Field Yates shared a concise breakdown of the key offseason timeline right after the Super Bowl, helping everyone track the critical dates that will define the 2026 league year. Here’s a complete, up-to-date guide to the most important 2026 NFL offseason dates, what each window means, and why it matters for your favorite team.
Key 2026 NFL Offseason Dates and Events
- February 17 – March 3, 2026
Franchise and Transition Tag Window
Teams can designate one player (franchise tag) or use the transition tag to retain pending free agents at a one-year salary based on position formulas (often very high for premium positions like QB, edge rusher, or cornerback).
Deadline: March 3 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Why it matters: Tagged players must sign the tender or sit out; many get traded or extended instead. Expect headlines around stars who could be tagged if negotiations stall. - February 23 – March 2, 2026
NFL Scouting Combine (Indianapolis, IN)
Top draft prospects undergo medical exams, athletic testing (40-yard dash, vertical, bench press), interviews, and on-field drills.
Impact: Teams gather critical data that shapes draft boards and free-agent evaluations. - March 9 – March 11, 2026 (until 4:00 p.m. ET)
Legal Tampering / Negotiating Window
Teams can contact and negotiate (but not officially sign) agents of impending unrestricted free agents.
Why it’s huge: Many of the biggest deals get agreed to in principle during this period and are announced the moment free agency opens. - March 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET
2026 League Year & Free Agency Begins
Official start of free agency. Contracts from 2025 expire, unrestricted free agents can sign anywhere, trading period opens, and the new league year kicks off.
What to watch: The first hours/days usually see the most spending — big contracts, sign-and-trades, and immediate roster overhauls. - April 17, 2026
Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to Sign Offer Sheets
RFAs who receive offers from other teams must decide by this date (teams can match). - April 23–25, 2026
2026 NFL Draft — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The three-day event (Rounds 1–3 on Thursday–Friday, Rounds 4–7 on Saturday) at Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park.
First time Pittsburgh hosts since 1948.
Why fans care: The draft reshapes every roster, especially for rebuilding teams or those needing a franchise quarterback, elite pass rusher, or cornerstone offensive lineman. - May 1, 2026
Fifth-Year Option Deadline
Teams must decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option on first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft (exercised options become guaranteed later). - July 15, 2026
Franchise Tag Extension Deadline
Last day for tagged players and their teams to agree on a long-term contract extension (otherwise, they play 2026 under the tag).
Why the 2026 Offseason Timeline Matters More Than Ever
With the league year turning over right after Super Bowl LX, every team — contenders and rebuilders alike — faces critical decisions. Franchise tags often spark trade rumors. Free agency week (starting March 11) frequently delivers the league’s biggest headlines. The Pittsburgh-hosted 2026 NFL Draft then sets the foundation for the next half-decade of rosters.
Whether you’re tracking your team’s cap space, eyeing potential landing spots for star free agents, preparing for fantasy drafts, or just love the drama, mark these dates. The 2026 NFL offseason calendar drives the storylines that will dominate sports talk radio, podcasts, and social media through training camp.
Stay locked in — the moves made between mid-February and late April will determine who contends for the Lombardi Trophy in February 2027.
Last updated: February 2026 — dates sourced from official NFL operations and league announcements.