NFL offseason Q&A: Key dates, notable free agents, schedule release info

Super Bowl LIX and the 2024 season are in the books, so it's time to turn the page to the 2025 offseason. 

Here are 10 questions (and answers) about the next few months.

1. When does the 2025 NFL league year begin?

March 12 at 4 p.m. ET. That's when free agents can officially sign contracts and trades can be approved.

2. What are some player deadlines to watch?

Saints quarterback Derek Carr's $30M salary becomes fully guaranteed on the third league day, May 14. (h/t Spotrac)

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has a $10M 2025 roster bonus that becomes guaranteed May 16.

On that same day, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who requested a trade on Feb. 3, will receive a $5M roster bonus.

Longtime Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who acknowledged his murky outlook in Seattle following the regular season, will also receive a handsome payday May 16, when his $5.3M roster bonus activates.

3. Who are the most notable free agents?

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is arguably the best player on the market. In 2024, he averaged 75.9 receiving yards per game, the second most in his five-year career, and scored a career-high 10 touchdowns.

Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack and Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat are among the best defenders.

Sam Darnold (Vikings) is the most noteworthy quarterback, followed by Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

4. What is the expected 2025 salary cap?

In December, NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that teams were budgeting for the salary cap to be from $265M to $275M. That low-end estimate could be conservative based on salary- cap growth trends. 

• 2021: $182.5 million

• 2022: $208.2 million (+14.1%)

• 2023: $224.8 million (+8%)

• 2024: $255.4 million (+13.6%)

Over the past three years, 2023's eight percent salary cap spike has been the league's most minor. If the cap increases eight percent again this season, that would put the 2025 cap at $275.8 million.

5. When and where is the 2025 NFL Draft?

April 24-26 in Green Bay. After being in Detroit last April, the draft is on the road for the 10th time after taking place in New York from 1965-2014. It will happen over three nights, with the first round on Thursday, April 24. 

The 2026 draft is scheduled for Pittsburgh from April 23-25.

6. Who are this year's top prospects?

2024 Heisman winner Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter is the top player on most draft big boards, with Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter also receiving consideration. 

Hunter's Colorado teammate, Shedeur Sanders, and Miami's Cam Ward are the clear top two quarterbacks and, per many draft experts, the only ones with first-round grades entering the pre-draft process.

7. When will the 2025 schedule be released?

Since 2020, the league has pushed back the date from mid-April to after the NFL Draft.

Here's when the schedule was released the past five seasons:

• 2020: Thursday, May 7

• 2021: Wednesday, May 12

• 2022: Thursday, May 12

• 2023: Thursday, May 11

• 2024: Wednesday, May 15

Expect the schedule to be unveiled around the same time, with Wednesday, May 14 or Thursday, May 15 being the most likely dates. 

8. Who are Super Bowl champion Philadelphia's potential home opponents for the season's first game?

While we don't know specific game times, the Eagles' 2025 opponents have been confirmed.

Philadelphia will plays its three NFC East rivals, with the Cowboys and Commanders the most likely options for the Thursday season opener.

The Lions also travel to Lincoln Financial Field, making that an enticing option for the season's first game.

A divisional-round rematch against the Rams would be next on our list, followed by the Broncos and Bears. 

A lot can change before the schedule is finalized. Still, as currently constructed, Philadelphia's two other home opponents, the Giants and Raiders, aren't attractive enough to put on a big stage.

9. What potential trades should we anticipate?

Garrett is the biggest name after demanding to be traded to a contender. If a trade happens, it would likely be a post-June 1 transaction, when the Browns would save nearly $5M against the 2025 cap.

Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp confirmed Los Angeles plans to trade him this offseason.

On Sunday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the 49ers have permitted wide receiver Deebo Samuel to seek a trade.

Cousins is also a candidate to monitor before his $10M roster bonus becomes guaranteed.

On Saturday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano reported the Titans could trade the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and pursue a young, veteran quarterback in free agency.

10. What are other significant dates?

The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 25-March 3. The deadline for teams to apply the franchise or transition tag is the day following the combine (March 4). 

Teams may begin negotiating with agents when the legal tampering period begins on March 10, with the annual league meeting three weeks later, from March 30-April 2.

2022 first-round picks have until May 1 for teams to pick up their 2026 fifth-year options, while July 15 is the deadline for franchise-tagged players to agree to a long-term extension.