The NFL has made several changes to the offseason calendar in recent weeks, all due to the possibility of a new collective bargaining agreement being put in place for the next decade. Just in the last week, the franchise tag window was pushed back and the deadline for players to vote on the proposed CBA was extended.
On Tuesday, the NFL pushed back the deadline to place the franchise tag on eligible players to Monday, the second time that window has shifted. The deadline was originally set for today at 4 p.m., but was then moved to March 12. Now, it’s March 16 at 11:59 a.m.
That’s shifted things a bit in the lead-up to free agency beginning, making the upcoming week an important one. To catch you up on all of the important dates to know, we’ve laid out a timeline to simplify things.
- Saturday, March 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET: Deadline for players to vote on proposed CBA
- Monday, March 16 at 11:59 a.m. ET: Deadline for teams to apply franchise tag
- Monday, March 16 at 12 p.m. ET: Legal tampering period begins, allowing teams to contact agents of unrestricted free agents
- Wednesday, March 18 at 4 p.m. ET: Free agency and new league year begin
This latest change to the tag window ensures that teams won’t be able to use both the franchise tag and transition tag in the event that a new CBA is ratified. If a new CBA isn’t agreed upon, teams will be able to use both. With the voting deadline on Saturday, teams will know the outcome before the tag window closes.
The legal tampering period allows teams to discuss contracts with the agents of unrestricted free agents, but deals cannot be signed. They can agree to terms on new contracts, but pen can’t be put to paper, nor can players themselves meet with teams.
When the new league year begins on March 18 at 4 p.m. ET, teams can sign free agents and make trades official.
