2025 NFL Offseason Schedule: Key dates, times, and deadlines for the Chiefs, including NFL Draft and free agency

The 2025 NFL offseason has officially arrived for the Kansas City Chiefs after a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. 

With an extended season, there's no rest for the weary in Kansas City as the 2025 NFL free agency period, and the 2025 NFL Draft circuit are just around the corner. It's Brett Veach's time to shine, helping this team to stay competitive at the highest levels. 

Below, you'll find a look at the earliest portion of the offseason calendar, along with some essential Chiefs-specific dates and times to know as we prepare to live without football for the next six months. 

February 17: DeAndre Hopkins' contract voids

Hopkins isn't technically slated to become a free agent until this date, when his contract for 2025, 2026, and 2027 officially voids. 

February 18: Franchise Tag Window Opens

Beginning this date, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players. The Chiefs have two players who could receive the franchise tag, LB Nick Bolton and RG Trey Smith. They likely wouldn't keep either on the tag but rather use it as a tool to negotiate a long-term deal or hash out a trade with another club. They don't exactly have the cap space right now to make that happen, though. The projected franchise tag amount for LBs in 2025 exceeds $27 million, while the projected amount for OLs exceeds $25 million. 

February 24-Mar. 3: 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine returns to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chiefs will have coaching staff and scouts in attendance, along with GM Brett Veach. Watch for exclusive coverage from the A to Z NFL Draft team. 

March 4: Franchise Tag Deadline

The deadline to designate franchise tag or transition players is 4:00 p.m. ET. Typically, if the Chiefs will use a franchise tag on a player, they won't wait until the deadline unless vigorous contract negotiations occur and don't go the way they hope. 

March 10-12: NFL's Legal Negotiating (Tampering) Window 

This is where the fun begins. Beginning at Noon ET on March 10, clubs are permitted to contact and negotiate with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2024 contracts. Front office members are permitted to contact players directly only if those players are certified by the NFLPA to represent themselves in contract negotiations. The Chiefs have varied their activity during this time over the years, but this is often when we see reports of top free agents leaving Kansas City for other teams.

March 12: 2025 League Year & NFL Free Agency Begins

The 2025 League Year and Free Agency signing period begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on this date. The Chiefs have 20 unrestricted free agents, four restricted free agents, and four exclusive rights free agents for the 2025 NFL offseason. If those players do not receive a contract or contract tender by this date, they'll become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any NFL team. 

March 15: Soft deadline for Travis Kelce's retirement decision

If Chiefs TE Travis Kelce plans to retire, we'll have some clarity before this date. $11.5 million of his roster bonus is due. The team will either look to extend Kelce to lower his cap hit if he's staying another year, OR Kelce will announce his decision before this date. That's not the only contract trigger they've got to worry about on this date. 

Other contract triggers include (via OverTheCap): 

• $2.65M of Harrison Butker's 2026 salary guarantees for injury
• Creed Humphrey's remaining 2026 salary guarantees
• $2 million of Joe Thuney's base salary guarantees
• $16.65M of Patrick Mahomes' 2025 salary guarantees
• $10.4M of Patrick Mahomes' 2026 roster bonus guarantees
• Chris Jones' entire 2026 salary and roster bonus guarantees

March 30-Apr. 2: Annual League Meetings

This is when you'll hear about changes the NFL's competition committee plans to make in 2025. If any "the refs favor the Chiefs, so we've got to change this rule" shenanigans happen, they'll start here.

April 18: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets

If a restricted free agent receives an offer sheet from another NFL team, this is the deadline for them to sign it. The Chiefs will have until April 23 to exercise their Right of First Refusal on any signed offers. 

April 21: Chiefs may begin offseason workout program

As a team with a returning head coach, the Chiefs can officially return to work and begin the earliest portion of their offseason workout program. This phase of the offseason workout program is voluntary, but it typically has high attendance from Chiefs players.

April 21-26: 2025 NFL Draft

The Chiefs are currently slated to have six picks in the 2025 NFL draft, including the Tennessee Titans' selection atop the third round from the L'Jarius Sneed trade. Here's a 7-round mock draft for Kansas City. 

May 2-5 OR May 9-12: Chiefs rookie minicamp

After the Chiefs draft players and sign undrafted free agents, they'll have two weekends to choose from for their rookie minicamp. Typically, they choose the earlier of the two weekends.