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Key Dates in Free Agency

Free Agency Central | Terms Explained

Feb. 10
Deadline for clubs to designate franchise & transition players

Deadline for submission of qualifying offers by clubs to their restricted free agents whose contracts have expired and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal/compensation

Deadline for clubs to submit offer of minimum salary to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with fewer than three seasons of free agency credit whose contracts have expired

Feb. 11
Veteran free agency signing period begins

Trading period begins

April 10
Deadline for signing of offer sheets by restricted free agents

April 14
Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents

April 15-16
NFL Draft - New York

June 1
Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 15

Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights

June 15
Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary

July 15
Signing period ends (4 p.m. ET) for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender