Important upcoming 2021 NFL offseason dates/events

The Super Bowl is just days away, and for 30 NFL franchises they have already moved onto the 2021 season. Outside of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs, all other NFL fans are looking forwards to the new league year, free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.

So, what exactly are the key dates for the NFL offseason? Well, get your calendars out and mark down the following events. Everything from when players can have Franchise/Transition tags placed on them, the start of offseason workouts and even dates for final offer sheets for Restricted Rights Free Agents (RFAs).

Check out the 2021 dates below:

• February 7: Super Bowl LV, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
• February 23: First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players
• March 9: Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
• March 15-17: Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2020 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 17.
• March 17: The 2021 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
• April 5: Clubs with new head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
• April 19: Start of offseason workouts for teams with incumbent coaches.
• April 23: Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets.
• April 29-May 1: 2021 NFL Draft, Cleveland, Ohio

For teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the aforementioned dates will be huge for many reasons. The new league year will be when their many Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) will be able to hit the open market and see what they can get in 2021. It will also be important to keep an eye on the Franchise/Transition tag period in case the Steelers decide to employ that for another year.

In other words, be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for all the upcoming dates leading up to the start of the 2021 regular season.