HEADLINE

NFL reveals dates on franchise tags, new league year

Field Level Media

January 02, 2025 at 7:10 pm.

The NFL on Thursday announced several important dates that affect the league’s qualifying teams for the upcoming playoffs and the 2025 season at large.

Case in point is Monday for free-agent signings and renegotiating or extending rookie contracts of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2022 NFL Draft or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2023.

On Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m. ET, rosters will be frozen for clubs participating in the playoffs with limited exceptions. The first round is Jan. 11-13.

From Feb. 18-March 4, NFL clubs may designate franchise or transition players.

The NFL Scouting Combine will be held from Feb. 24-March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

On March 12, the new league year begins in earnest at 4 p.m. ET, while the annual league meeting will be conducted from March 30-April 2 in Palm Beach, Fla.

The NFL Draft will be held on April 24-26 on Green Bay, Wis., while May 1 will serve as the deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft.

Below is a list of additional important deadlines:

July 15 at 4 p.m. ET — This serves as the deadline for any club that designated a franchise player to sign said player to a multiyear contract or extension.

July 21 at 4 p.m. ET — This serves as the end of the signing period for transition players without outstanding tenders.

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