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The Super Bowl is officially behind us, marking the end of the 2019 NFL season. So what next? Here are the dates to mark on your calendar from today all the way through the NFL draft (all quoted from NFL.com):
FEBRUARY
Feb. 3 - Waiver system begins for 2020.
Feb. 11 - Beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, NFL clubs may begin to sign players whose 2020 CFL contracts have expired. Players under contract to a CFL club for the 2020 season or who have an option for the 2020 season are not eligible to be signed.
Feb. 24-March 2 - NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Feb. 25 - First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
MARCH
March 10 - Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 16-18 - 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 2019 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
March 18 - Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2020 on all players who have option clauses in their 2019 contracts.
Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.
Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a minimum salary tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2019 contracts who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.
Top 51 Rule begins. All clubs must be under the 2020 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time.
All 2019 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The 2020 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2020 league year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18. 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 18.
Trading period for 2020 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2019 contracts.
March 29-April 1 - Annual League Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida.
APRIL
April 6 - Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2019 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 17 - Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 20 - Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 23-25 - NFL Draft, Las Vegas, Nevada.
It’s also important to remember that some time point this month, Drew Brees will likely make his official announcement regarding his retirement or return in 2020. That will be the date to remember as it will be the first very important domino to fall in the offseason for the New Orleans Saints. It’s just unclear what that date will be right now.