NFL dates to know for 2020 offseason

With the NFL offseason in full swing, here’s a refresher of key offseason dates to know:

Feb. 3: Waiver system begins for 2020.

Feb. 11: Beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, NFL clubs may begin to sign players whose 2020 CFL contracts have expired.

Feb. 24-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Feb. 25: First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

Mar. 10: Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

Mar. 16-18: 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 2019 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.

Mar. 18: Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2020 on all players who have option clauses in their 2019 contracts.

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.

Mar. 29-April 1: Annual League Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida.

Apr. 6: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2019 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.

Apr. 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets

Apr. 20: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.

Apr. 23-25: NFL Draft, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Apr. 27: Beginning this date, NFL clubs may request permission to visit with, try out, or sign any player who was under contract to the XFL at the conclusion of the XFL season.

May 1-4: Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.

May 5: Deadline for prior club to send “May 5 Tender” to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents.

May 8-11: Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.

May 11: Rookie Football Development Programs begin.

May 14-17: NFLPA Rookie Premiere. Invited rookies (typically, first- and/or second-round selections) must be permitted by their respective clubs to attend. Such players are unavailable for offseason workouts, OTA days, and minicamps during this period.

May 19-20: Spring League Meeting, Marina Del Ray, California.

Jun. 1: Deadline for prior club to send “June 1 Tender” to its unsigned Restricted Free Agents who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only in order for such player to be subject to the CBA’s “June 15 Tender” provision.

Jun. 15: Deadline for club to withdraw qualifying offer to Restricted Free Agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting “June 15 Tender” of one-year contract at 110 percent of the player’s prior-year Paragraph 5 Salary.

Late June: Rookie Transition Program to be held at individual clubs.

Jul. 15: At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2020 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.

Mid-July: Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies beginning seven days prior to the club’s earliest permissible mandatory reporting date for veteran players.

Jul. 22*: Signing period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom a “May 5 Tender” was made by prior club.

Jul. 22: Signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.

Aug. 6: Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 6-9: Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 11: Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an accrued season for free agency.

Sept. 5: Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.

Sept. 6: Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 12:00 noon, New York time.

Sept. 10: At 12:00 a.m., New York time, the Top 51 Rule expires for all NFL clubs.

Sept. 10, 13-14: Regular Season Week 1.