Dallas Cowboys' 2026 offseason schedule: Full list of important dates

A view of Dallas Cowboys players' helmets on the bench against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Dallas Cowboys' 2026 offseason schedule: Full list of important dates

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Josh Sanchez | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 11:36 AM ET

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The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for the start of the 2026 NFL offseason, and did so with a bang by firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

It was a necessary move that the team needed to make in order to move into the future on a high note. The defense ranked last in the league against the pass, so a complete overhaul should be in the works.

While we wait to see what the next few months for the team holds, we do know what dates to keep an eye on as we lead up to next season.

From the franchise tag deadline in February and April's NFL Draft, several dates on the calendar will shape the future of the franchise.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A full look at the NFL offseason calendar can be seen below, via DallasCowboys.com.

2026 NFL offseason calendar

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

January

January 5: Teams can sign free agents, CFL players and futures deals
January 5: Teams can begin negotiating extensions for 2023 draft pick(s)
January 27: East-West Shrine Bowl (Frisco, TX)
January 31: The Panini Senior Bowl (Mobile, AL)

February

February 3: NFL Pro Bowl Event(s) (San Francisco)
February 8: Super Bowl LIX (Santa Clara, CA)
February 17: Teams can designate players for Franchise Tag/Transition Tag
February 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine (Indianapolis)

March

March 3: Deadline to designate Franchise/Transition players (4 p.m. ET)
March 9-11: Legal tampering permitted for pending free agents
March 11: First day of new league year, official free agency period (4 p.m. ET)
March 29-April 1: Annual League Meeting (Phoenix)

April

April 15: Deadline for club visits with draft prospects at team facility
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 20: Start of offseason workouts for teams with no head coaching change
April 22: Deadline for teams to exercise Right of First Refusal on RFAs
April 22: Deadline for visits with draft prospects at any location (including digitally)
April 23-25: 2025 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh)

May

May 1-4/May 8-11: Rookie minicamps (clubs must pick one of the two weekends)
May 13-17: NFLPA Rookie Premiere (Los Angeles)
Mid-May (TBD): 2026 NFL Schedule Release
May 20-21: Spring League Meeting (Orlando)