NFL Key Dates 2024: Schedule for Combine, Free Agency, Draft and All Offseason Events

For plenty of fans, football season never stops.

The Kansas City Chiefs are still riding the high from their 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, but we're only a month out from the start of free agency. Then before you know it, the 2024 NFL draft will be here.

Here are some of the big dates to know for the 2024 offseason:

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Key NFL Offseason Dates

• Feb. 20: Teams can designate franchise/transition players 
• Feb. 27-March 4: NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis 
• March 5: Deadline to offer franchise/transition tenders
• March 11-13: Free-agent negotiating window opens 
• March 13: 2024 League Year opens at 4 p.m. ET; teams can begin trading or signing players
  
• March 24-27: Annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida 
• April 1: Teams with a first-year head coach can begin offseason workouts 
• April 15: Teams with a returning head coach can begin offseason workouts 
• April 19: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets 
• April 25-27: NFL draft in Detroit
  
• May 2: Deadline for teams to pick up fifth-year option for 2021 first-round draft picks 
• May 3-6 or May 10-13: Three-day rookie minicamp 
• May 20-22: Spring league meeting
  

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Teams have yet to finalize their dates for their organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. OTAs typically start in late May and run through early June, with minicamp to follow later in the month.

Fans can expect training camps to open in late July as well.

One of the biggest questions this offseason surrounds the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones was an All-Pro for the second straight year after recording 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in the regular season. While he failed to record a sack in the Super Bowl, his impact was evident as he was a one-man wrecking crew.

The 29-year-old is a free agent and arguably the best player on the board at any position. Keeping him in Kansas City won't be easy for the Chiefs when they don't have a wealth of salary cap space.

On the other side of the field, Kirk Cousins will generate a lot of intrigue since he's the most decorated quarterback due to hit the open market.

The 35-year-old threw for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions before a torn Achilles ended his season after eight games. His 291.4 passing yards per game were on pace to be his second-highest ever.

Even with the Achilles injury, Cousins will be on the radar for a lot of teams with playoff aspirations.

Perhaps no topic sparks more discourse than what the Chicago Bears should do with the No. 1 overall pick.

USC star Caleb Williams has long been considered the top quarterback in the class, but his junior campaign failed to hit its lofty expectations. He had 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions through the air while running for 142 yards and 11 scores.

The Bears could stand pat and take Williams, which would have a domino effect since it all but guarantees Justin Fields is traded. Chicago could instead decide to create a bit of chaos by trading the No. 1 overall selection.

It could be a legacy-defining decision for general manager Ryan Poles.