As the 2025 NFL season approaches, there are several crucial dates that fans, players, and coaches need to mark on their calendars.
Window to Tag Franchise and Transition Players: Feb. 18 to March 4
The period from February 18 to March 4 is pivotal for NFL teams as they can tag franchise and transition players. This window allows teams to either retain their top-performing players or secure compensation if they sign elsewhere. Franchising a player ensures they remain with the team, albeit often at a significant salary cap hit.
Legal Tampering Period Begins: March 10
March 10 marks the beginning of the legal tampering period. This is the initial phase where teams can legally begin negotiations with agents of pending unrestricted free agents. Interest will peak as franchises covertly communicate their intentions to strategic targets.
"Usually, the first day of the legal tampering period is one of the busiest days on the NFL calendar," according to many insiders.
Start of the New League Year and Free Agency: March 12
The NFL's new league year commences on March 12, heralding the official start of free agency. From this date, all teams will be working tirelessly to improve their rosters through trades and free-agent signings. It's a critical time for teams to address their needs and make significant buildups.
Offseason Workouts Begin: April 7 and April 21
Offseason workouts are split into two starting dates. Teams with new head coaches begin on April 7, giving new staff extra preparation time to instill their strategies. Teams with returning head coaches start their workouts on April 21. These sessions are essential for honing players' skills, implementing playbooks, and ensuring everyone is in peak physical condition before training camps start.
2025 NFL Draft: April 24-26
The 2025 NFL Draft will be held from April 24 to April 26 in Green Bay. This event is the lifeblood for building future team rosters. College players across the nation will be eagerly awaiting their chance to step into the professional realm and potentially transform the fortunes of the NFL teams that draft them.
Player Designations
Player designations play a significant role in roster management during the regular and postseason. A maximum of eight players per team can be designated to return from certain roster lists during the regular season. This rule helps teams handle injuries strategically and ensures that key players can rejoin the lineup when they recover.
Moreover, an additional two players can be designated to return during the postseason. This rule provides teams with extra flexibility during the most crucial part of the year — the playoffs. Ensuring the healthiest and best roster can be the difference between a championship run and an early exit.
A player can be designated to return a maximum of two times. Each designation counts against the team's total allowance, adding a strategic layer to the use of these designations. Teams need to be judicious in their decisions, making sure the designations are used at the right times for the most critical players.
Looking Ahead
The period between February and April is jam-packed with essential dates and events that can significantly impact the 2025 NFL season. From franchise tagging to the commencement of free agency, followed by the start of offseason workouts and culminating in the NFL Draft, these moments are pivotal for the strategic planning and success of every team in the league.
As this year's Super Bowl, slated for Sunday, February 9, draws nearer, teams will soon pivot to these key dates. The mere nine days between the Super Bowl and the start of the tagging window add a note of urgency for teams eager to secure their key players and make impactful moves in the offseason.
NFL enthusiasts, players, and management alike will be on high alert as these dates approach, each movement in the calendar representing a new opportunity or challenge for the coming season.
