When Does NFL Free Agency Start? Key Dates for NFL Offseason
The Eagles are 2025 Super Bowl Champions, but the NFL never sleeps. It’s time to turn our attention towards the offseason, starting with free agency, and discuss important dates to consider, including when NFL free agency starts, and the top free agents to keep an eye on.
The absence of games doesn’t mean that there aren’t any NFL projections on PrizePicks. Check out the NFLSZN board to get in on the action — you can pick more or less of season-long stat projections like pass yards, rush yards, touchdowns, and more!
Important NFL Offseason & Free Agency Dates
Below, find out the key dates for the next month in the NFL offseason, including franchise tag dates, and the start of NFL free agency, which marks the start of the 2025 NFL league year.
February 18 to March 4: Designate Franchise and Transition Players
Beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 18, teams can designate Franchise or Transition players. The deadline for these designations is March 4 at 4 p.m. ET.
February 24 to March 3: 2025 NFL Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Many of the top players entering the 2025 Draft will take part in drills including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and bench press.
March 10: Beginning of Negotiation Period
Beginning at 12 p.m. ET on March 10, teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with players who are set to become free agents on March 12. However, no official contracts can be officially signed until March 12.
March 12: Beginning of NFL League Year and Free Agency
The new NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 12. Free agency signing period and trading period begins at 4 p.m. ET. At this point, teams must also be under the salary cap number of $272.5 million.
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When Does NFL Free Agency Start 2025?
2025 NFL free agency starts at the beginning of the league year on March 12, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET.
The start of free agency generally starts with a run of signings after the three-day contract negotiation period, as teams already have agreements in place with players, and rumors are swirling.
Additional Key NFL Offseason Dates
Here are some additional key NFL offseason dates to keep an eye on after NFL free agency begins.
- April 21: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
- April 24-26: NFL Draft
- May 1: Deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft
- June 1: Deadline for teams to send “June 1 Tender” to its unsigned restricted free agents who received a qualifying offer.
- June 15: Deadline for teams to withdraw higher qualifying offers to restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting lower “June 15 Tender” of one-year contract.
- July 15: Franchise Player Signing Deadline — the deadline for teams to sign players designated as Franchise Players to a multiyear contract is 4 p.m. ET on July 15. After this date, the Franchise Players can only sign a one-year contract prior to the 2025 season. That one-year contract cannot be extended until after the 2025 season.
- July 21: Transition Player Signing Deadline - the signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders at 4:00 p.m. ET on July 21.
Top 2025 NFL Free Agents
Here are 20 of the top NFL free agents to keep an eye on ahead of the start of the new league year and free agency opening up.
Find the top 2025 NFL Free Agent QBs and potential landing spots here.
- Bengals WR Tee Higgins
- Chargers EDGE Khalil Mack
- Chiefs OG Trey Smith
- Jets CB D.J. Reed
- Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat
- Eagles LB Zach Baun
- Bucs WR Chris Godwin
- 49ers CB Charvarius Ward
- Vikings QB Sam Darnold
- 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw
- Lions CB Carlton Davis
- Texans WR Stefon Diggs
- Vikings RB Aaron Jones
- Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins
- Bills WR Amari Cooper
- Falcons C Drew Dalman
- Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley
- Steelers QB Justin Fields
- Jets EDGE Hasson Reddick
- Eagles OG Makhi Becton
- Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown
Stay tuned to the Playbook for more free agency, rumors, and analysis ahead of the new league year starting.
Play NFLSZN On PrizePicks
The NFL offseason has arrived. There are plenty of key offseason dates, including the start of NFL free agency. There’s also still NFL real-money action on PrizePicks.
Go to PrizePicks and play our NFLSZN projections, where you can pick more or less on 2025 season-long fantasy football projections, like Lamar Jackson passing yards or Amon-Ra St. Brown receiving yards.
Keep an eye out for more throughout the NFL offseason, including the NFL Combine board for the 40-yard dash on PrizePicks.
