Today, March 12th, marks the beginning of a packed NFL calendar. Instead of wasting time Google searching when the next date is or completely forgetting it, I decided to compile a comprehensive list of the NFL schedule up until NFL football is officially back! I know, it’s just the kind of guy I am. You’re welcome, football fans.
2018 NFL Important Dates
- Legal Tampering Period — March 12-14
- Free Agency & Trading begins — March 14, 4pm ET
- Annual league meeting — March 25-28
- Teams with new head coaches may start offseason training programs — April 2
- Teams with returning head coaches may start offseason training programs — April 16
- Deadline for RFAs to sign offer sheets — April 20
- 2018 NFL Draft — April 26-28
- Rookie Minicamp — Either May 4-7 or May 11-14
- Rookie Football Development Program begins — May 14
- Spring League meeting — May 21-23
- OTA and Minicamp window — May 28-June 24
- Signing bonus spread over two years if released — June 2
- Deadline for team to withdraw RFA offer & replace with June 15 Tender (1-year, 110% of previous salary) — June 15
- Training Camp — Mid-July (Veterans: 15 days prior to first preseason game or July 15, whichever is later; Rookies: Up to seven days before veterans; Quarterbacks and injured players: Up to five days before veterans if rookies have reported)
- Deadline to re-sign franchise player — July 16
- Deadline for new teams to sign transition player — July 23
- Hall of Fame Game — August 2
- Hall of Fame Weekend — August 2-5
- Deadline for signed players to report to receive accrued season — August 7
- 53-man roster cuts — September 1, 4pm ET
- Practice Squads — September 2, 1pm ET
- Week 1 games — September 6, 9-10
