The 2023 NFL Offseason: What to Expect
Now that the 2023 NFL Combine has ended, football fans are turning their focus to the upcoming offseason. Here are five noteworthy dates and events to keep in mind.
March 7: Deadline for Applying the Franchise Tag
Teams have until Mar 7 at 4:00 PM ET to apply the franchise tag to one of their players whose contract expired after the 2022 season. This one-year contract helps keep star players from entering free agency. Some notable quarterbacks eligible for the franchise tag include Geno Smith and Daniel Jones.
March 15: Free Agency Officially Begins
Players not under contract with a team can officially sign with a new team starting Mar 15 at 4:00 PM ET. The communication period between players, agents, and teams runs from March 13 at 12:00 PM ET through March 15 at 3:59 ET. This is when free agency officially kicks off, but free agents can sign with teams in the months that follow.
April 27: NFL Draft
This eagerly awaited event is the culmination of scouting and due diligence on college players, from the NFL Combine to university Pro Days. The Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will host the draft but make the last pick in the first round (No. 31 overall).