NFL free agency, NFL combine, NFL draft and more all lined up
Every offseason is important but, for the Cleveland Browns, the 2025 NFL offseason might be the biggest of the decade or longer. DE Myles Garrett and OL Joel Bitonio have stated or hinted at not wanting to stick around for a rebuild and wanting to know the team’s plan for the future.
With the Browns likely achieving a top-three pick in the upcoming NFL draft, Cleveland could retool their roster quickly but may need to make some big decisions in free agency and roster management prior to that.
The Thursday before the end of the regular season saw the NFL announce all of the important upcoming dates. While some of them included dates for playoff-related things, the offseason dates of importance are the focus for Browns fans:
January 6 – Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2025 season, including players from the CFL.
Earliest permissible date for clubs to renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2022 NFL Draft or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2023. Any permissible renegotiated or extended player contract will not be considered a rookie contract and will not be subject to the rules that limit rookie contracts.
Clubs may exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
January 15 – Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility.
January 30 – East-West Shrine Bowl, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.
February 1 – Senior Bowl, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.
February 18 – Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m., New York time on March 4, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
February 24-March 3 – NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 4 – Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 10-12 – (AKA Legal Tampering) During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 10 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12, 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 2024 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.
During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“unrepresented player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an unrepresented player.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.
March 12 – The 2025 League Year and free agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
Trading period for 2025 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2024 contracts.
The first day of the 2025 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12.
April 16 – Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
April 18 – Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 23 – Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.
April 24-26 – NFL Draft, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
May 1 – Deadline for clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft.
July 15 – At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2025 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.
Could be an exciting offseason for the Browns, now you can set your calendars in preparation.