Feeling like you’re running on empty without football? You’re not alone. But fear not, fans; we are just weeks away from training camp, the official beginning of the 2017 NFL preseason. Here is what you can expect from the offseason in the coming weeks and months.
May
May 18-21: NFLPA Rookie Premiere and Rookie Minicamps
May 22-23: Spring League Meetings in Chicago, IL
Owners and league executives are expected to vote on various changes to the league’s rules, including rules that are said to affect rosters and shortening the overtime period in regular season games.
Late May – June: Full-Team OTAs
July
July 15: Franchise-tagged Players Extension Deadline
Players who have been designated with their teams’ franchise tags are no longer able to sign multi-year extensions following the July 15 deadline. After the deadline, players are only able to sign one-year Franchise tenders with their respective teams.
Mid-Late July: Training Camp Early Open
Teams league-wide are being permitted to open training camps early for rookies and first-year players for the 2017 offseason, available a full seven days before the team’s earliest mandatory training camp reporting date for veterans.
Late July-August: NFL Training Camps
The season begins with teams taking their first steps towards Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, opening training camps at various dates.
August
August 3: NFL Hall of Fame Game
This year being played on Thursday night, the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals will square off in the first official football game of the NFL’s preseason, played at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
August 5: Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
The 2017 NFL Hall of Fame inductees will be enshrined forever in Canton, Ohio.
September
September 7: Kickoff
The Super Bowl LI champion New England Patriots will kick off the brand new 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at home on Thursday, September 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The team will unveil their Super Bowl banner and forge a new path, seeking their sixth Super Bowl title.