:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54053311/169597578.0.jpg)
The NFL announced offseason workout program dates for all 32 teams on Monday afternoon, and the New Orleans Saints kick things off two weeks from today on April 17. Two teams, the Bills and Chargers, started today. Each club that hires a new head coach is permitted to begin early, but doesn’t necessarily have to.
The Saints will have organized team activities, or OTAs, on several different dates in addition to a mandatory minicamp in mid-June.
- Program start: April 17
- OTAs: May 23-25, May 30-31, June 1, June 5-8
- Mandatory Minicamp: June 13-15
Per the CBA, the nine-week voluntary program has three phases.
Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual player instruction and drills as well as team practice conducted on a “separates” basis. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.
It’s getting that much closer to football.