NFL Key Dates: Combines to Free Agency
By Adam Ganeles
Feb 25, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; From left San Francisico 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh , Baltimore Ravens coaches Cam Cameron and John Harbaugh scout and watch the the workouts during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Between February 8th and March 11th the team building process starts anew. Indeed, there is no rest for the weary — NFL Executives work 24/7/365. Teams must evaluate the new pool of talent, make cost-effective decisions on the old guard, and identify areas where the roster talent level can be upgraded. Regional combines aren’t sexy, but sharp scouting early in the game often leads to sleeper finds on draft day. The combine comes to the Jets training camp facility in Florham Park February on 15-16.
The full list of key dates, courtesy of the NFL Communications Calendar:
| February 8-9 | – | NFL Regional Combine, Methodist Training Center, Houston, Texas. |
| February 15-16 | – | NFL Regional Combine, Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Florham Park, New Jersey. |
| February 17 | – | First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players. |
| February 19-25 | – | NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. |
| February 22 | – | NFL Regional Combine, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California. |
| March 1 | – | NFL Regional Combine, One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, Florida. |
| March 3 | – | Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players. |
| March 8-9 | – | NFL Regional Combine, Atlanta Falcons Training Facility, Flowery Branch, Georgia. |
| March 8 | – | Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2013 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 11. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 11. |
| March 11 | – | Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2014 on all players who have option clauses in their 2013 contracts. |
| March 11 | – | Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit Qualifying Offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation. |
| March 11 | – | Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2013 contracts and who have fewer than three Accrued Seasons of free agency credit. |
| March 11 | – | Top-51 Begins. All clubs must be under the 2014 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time. |
| March 11 | – | All 2013 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time. |
| March 11 | – | The 2014 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.The first day of the 2014 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 11. clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 11. |