\nKey NFL Free Agency Dates and Designations
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<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nFEBRUARY 8th \u2013 As of Monday, teams are allowed to start releasing players without having to worry about any repercussion on last year\u2019s (2020) Salary Cap, which still technically applies until March 17. So, teams are now able to start making moves with the aim of improving their Salary Cap for 2021.\u00a0All players released between February 8th and the start of the new league year on March 17th are subject to waivers.\u00a0If they clear waivers, they immediately become free agents and are free to sign a contract at any time (even if before March 17th).<\/p>\n
With the new league year set to commence on March 17th, expect most teams to start making veteran moves at some point in early March.<\/p>\n
LATE FEBRUARY \u2013 Over the last few years, the NFL has announced the Compensatory Draft picks on the Friday before the Scouting Combine.\u00a0 With the Combine being virtual this year, it remains to be seen when the League will announce Comp picks.
\nFEBRUARY 23rd \u2013 MARCH 9th \u2013 As of February 23rd, teams can start designating a soon-to-be free agent player with the Franchise or Transition Tag.\u00a0If a team wants to use either Tag, they must do so by 4:00 pm on March 9th.<\/p>\n
MARCH 15th \u2013 The \u201clegal tampering\u201d window opens.\u00a0As of March 15th, other teams can start discussing contract offers and terms with potential free agents, though a contract cannot be agreed upon until March 17th.<\/p>\n
MARCH 17th \u2013 At 4:00 pm on Wednesday, March 17th, the 2021 NFL League year begins:<\/p>\n
Teams must have submitted tender offers to all of their Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) and Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) who they want to retain. Teams must exercise all 2021 contract options tied to the first day of the league year.<\/p>\n
Free Agency for veteran players and the Trading period begins.
\nAll teams must be under the Salary Cap and the Rule of 51 Cap computation begins.<\/p>\n
Recent reports have suggested that the league Salary Cap is projected to be in the $180-181M range.\u00a0 Using the midpoint of that range \u2013 $180.5M \u2013 as the Cap. Once RFAs and ERFAs are tendered and other adjustments are applied. This number will obviously change as teams make other moves \u2013 signing, re-signings, restructures and\/or contract extensions.<\/p>\n
APRIL 23rd \u2013 The deadline for teams to sign RFAs to an offer sheet.\u00a0 If another team signs a RFA to an offer sheet, the player\u2019s present team has five days to match that offer or potentially (depending on the tender given to the play) receive draft pick compensation if they decline to match.\u00a0 With the NFL Draft starting on April 29th, the deadline to sign a player to an offer sheet and allow for the required five-day match period is April 23rd.<\/p>\n
ARPIL 29th-May 1st \u2013 The NFL Draft 2021 – Cleveland, Ohio<\/p>\n
MAY 4th \u2013 May 4th is the CBA-mandated date by which 5th Year Options must be exercised for 4th year players who were drafted in the 1st round.<\/p>\n
MAY 5th \u2013 The \u201cMay 5th Tender\u201d date.\u00a0 This date, which was moved forward from June 1st a couple of years ago, is essentially the last date that the signing or losing of a free agent will count toward the Compensatory Draft pick calculation. The May 5th Tender \u2013 which rarely happens \u2013 is a way a team can potentially obtain exclusive negotiating rights with a player later in the summer.\u00a0 It also provides extended Comp pick eligibility if the player is tendered a contract of at least 110% of his prior year\u2019s compensation by May 5th.\u00a0 Otherwise, if the player is not given the May 5th Tender, he no longer counts toward the Comp pick formula and the team cannot gain any special negotiating advantage later in the off season. As a practical matter, very few free agents who remain unsigned by May 5th are worth such a tender.
\nJUNE 1st \u2013 In past years this is the last day that teams can release a player and have all of the dead money from that release count against the present year\u2019s Salary Cap. If released after June 1st, only the present year\u2019s bonus prorations counts against the Cap in that year and all future bonus prorations would count against the following year\u2019s Cap.<\/p>\n
JULY 15th \u2013 This is the deadline for signing a player who has received the Franchise or Transition tag to a long-term deal. If no long-term deal can be reached by this date, the player must play that year under the one-year contract provided under the Franchise\/Transaction Tender and cannot sign a long-term deal until after the season is over.<\/p>\n
LATE JULY \u2013 NFL Training 2021 camps start opening.<\/p>\n
SEPTEMBER 4th \u2013 Final cutdown date, all teams must cutdown to 53 players.<\/p>\n
SEPTEMBER 9th \u2013 At 12:00 a.m., the Rule of 51 ends and all teams must be fully under the 2021 Salary Cap. This includes all of the players on the 53-man roster, the Practice Squad and all players on any of the reserve lists (IR, PUP, etc.).<\/p>\n
SEPTEMBER 9th, 12th-13th \u2013 Week 1 of 2021 NFL regular season.<\/p>\n
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