NFL free agency is getting close. Here's the timeline:
Monday Noon to Wednesday 4 p.m.: Legal tampering period begins. This is when all the big deals get done.
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 2025 player contracts at 4 p.m. ET, on March 12.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 11.
Wednesday, 4 p.m.: 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begins.
Trading period for 2026 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, after expiration of all 2025 contracts.
The first day of the 2026 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 12. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m. ET, and 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11.
April 15: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 23-25: NFL Draft, Pittsburgh, Pa.
May 1: Deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year option for players selected in the first round of the 2023 Draft (Christian Gonzalez).
As a primer — and we'll get into our wishlists over the weekend — here's my snapshot of the Patriots' depth chart that includes 2025 grades for the players, and also the coming contract expirations. Then we'll identify and rank the needs, and our guess on how they will attempt to fill those spots - whether it's free agency/trade or the draft (or both).
