Sure, the 2023 NFL season is getting hot and heavy, but why not look ahead to 2024? There are some teams that would like to forget about 2023. I’m looking at you, Carolina Panthera. Well, the Football League has released early dates for the NFL 2024 schedule. These dates are for the offseason, so don’t get too stoked. But, they’ll help shape how the regular season plays out.
Feb. 20 through March 5: Franchise tag window
From Feb. 20 through March 5, NFL teams will be able to start applying franchise and transition tags. Usually, teams wait until the later date to apply, so look for the announcements to come closer to March 5.
March 13: New league year begins
March 13 is the magic date when the NFL season officially starts. If you want to get really specific, it starts at 4 p.m. ET. This is when contracts expire and free agency begins. Also, the NFL’s “legal tampering period” will run from March 11 to 12.
April 1 or 15: Beginning of offseason workouts
For teams with a returning head coach, the offseason workouts start on April 15. For teams with a new coach, they get a jump start, beginning on April 1.
April 19: Final day of restricted free agent period
If a team hasn’t tendered a restricted free agent by April 19, then they’ll become an unrestricted free agent. Also, April 24 marks the final day for RFA offer sheets.
April 25 through 27: NFL Draft
This is the big event for the NFL in the offseason. Everyone waits with great anticipation for the NFL Draft each year. This year’s NFL Draft, presented by Bud Light, will take place from April 25 through 27 in Detroit, in the area around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Considering the Detroit Lions are so hot lately, having the NFL Draft in the Motor City should make it extra exciting. During the NFL Draft, the NFL Draft Experience will be open, which is the league’s interactive football theme park. Visitors will be able to play games, check out interactive exhibits, autograph sessions and take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
“The 2024 NFL Draft will highlight all that makes Detroit and Southeast Michigan a great place to live, work, invest, and visit,” Visit Detroit President/CEO and draft co-chair Claude Molinari said in a statement. “Visit Detroit is proud to partner with Detroit Metropolitan Airport, local hotels, restaurants, and shops to create a best-in-class hospitality experience for visitors from touchdown to takeoff.”
“We are thrilled to bring the 2024 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light to Detroit, a tremendous hub of sports and culture,” added Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business, League Events and International. “With the Lions’ passionate fanbase and incredible local partners, we know the Motor City will make an unforgettable Draft experience as we celebrate all 32 teams, the Draft prospects, and the future of football.”
The NFL Draft is going to be huge. The 2022 edition presented by Bud Light in Las Vegas was attended by more than 300,000 fans and was seen by 10.03 million viewers. For more information on the upcoming NFL Draft, go here.