The Super Bowl is over, but the NFL never sleeps. As soon as the Chiefs defeated the 49ers to repeat as Super Bowl champions, it was time for all 32 NFL teams to focus on 2024.
The Washington Commanders have been busy since the end of the regular season. Washington fired Ron Rivera and hired Adam Peters as the franchise’s new general manager. Shortly after, the Commanders hired Dan Quinn to replace Rivera, with Quinn finishing up his coaching staff this week.
Now, the real work begins.
Here’s a calendar to follow and keep up with the essential dates on this offseason’s calendar:
February 20
The franchise/transition tag window opens.
February 26-March 4
Some important dates for next week’s NFL combine in Indianapolis:
- Feb. 29: Defensive linemen, linebackers
- March 1: Defensive backs, tight ends
- March 2: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs
- March 3: Offensive linemen
March 5
The franchise/transition tag deadline (4 p.m. ET).
March 11-13
The unofficial opening of NFL free agency as the legal tampering period begins (Noon ET Monday to 4 p.m. ET Wednesday).
March 13
The NFL 2024 league year opens (4 p.m. ET), and all trades and signings become official. All 32 NFL teams must comply with the salary cap by the 4 p.m. ET deadline.
March 24-27
The annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida, which shouldn’t be as newsworthy as last season.
April 1
This is the day when new head coach Dan Quinn and his staff can kick off the Commanders’ offseason program. Since Quinn is a new coach, he gets a two-week jump on the rest of the NFL. Teams with returning coaching staffs open offseason work on April 15.
April 17
The deadline for NFL draft prospects to meet at team facilities — also known as top-30 visits.
April 19
The deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with other teams. This is a very uneventful deadline for most teams.
April 24
Two deadlines here: First, it’s the deadline for teams to match offer sheets for restricted free agents. Secondly, it’s the deadline for teams to meet draft prospects at any location.
April 25-27
The 2024 NFL draft begins on April 25 in Detroit:
- April 25: Round 1
- April 26: Round 2-3
- April 27: Round 4-7
May 2
The deadline for NFL teams to pick up the fifth-year options for 2025 for first-round picks from the 2021 NFL draft. Last year, the Commanders declined Chase Young’s option. Jamin Davis is on the clock this year.
May 3-6 or May 10-13
NFL teams can choose either of these periods to have their rookie minicamp, which lasts four days.
