With the Dallas Cowboys‘ playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers in the rearview and coaching changes settled, the 2024 offseason is in full swing. The Cowboys have a potential franchise tag to designate, prospects to scout and draft, and many deals to make between now and the start of rookie minicamp in May.
Here are the most important dates of the 2024 offseason for Dallas and the rest of the NFL.
Key 2024 offseason dates
February 20: Starting at 4:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 20, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
February 27 through March 4: NFL Scouting Combine
March 5: 4 p.m. ET deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 5: Start of college Pro Days. Workouts for draft-eligible players outside of Pro Day are prohibited, however, private dinners, meetings, and interviews are permitted.
March 5 through April 17: Draft-eligible prospects may begin facility visits. Clubs permitted 30 non-local players for physical exams/visits; on-field workouts not permitted.
March 5 through April 24: Video or telephone interviews with draft-eligible players begin. Three video or telephone interviews per player; no longer than one hour each.
NFL League New Year
March 11 through March 13: Beginning at 12 noon ET, Los Angeles time, on March 11 and ending at 4 p.m. ET on March 13, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.
During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor can communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. Prospective unrestricted free agents must wait to execute contracts with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13.
March 13: The 2024 League Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. ET.
The trading period for 2024 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET after the expiration of all 2023 contracts.
March 24 through March 27: Annual League Meeting in Orlando, FL
April 1: Clubs with new head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 15: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 17: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at club facility.
April 19: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offers.
April 24: Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents.
April 24: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.
April 25-April 27: NFL Draft in Detroit
May 2: Deadline for clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2021 Draft.
May 3-6 or May 10-13: Cowboys can hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.
May 20-May 22: Spring League Meeting in Nashville, TN
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