The National Football League has announced several important dates for the 2023 season and 2024 offseason, including the dates of the NFL international games this season, the 2024 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl, and plenty of contract and free agency deadlines.
2023 NFL OFFSEASON IMPORTANT DATES
July 17 – Last day for teams to sign franchise player to a long-term contract extension. After this date, the player may only sign a one-year contract.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs and New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley are among the players that have received a franchise tag, but not yet agreed to a contract.
The backs are part of a significant offseason storyline of teams refusing to pay top running backs, which is setting up future drama between the Steelers and Najee Harris.
Aug. 29 – Teams must cut their rosters from 90 players to 53 players following the end of the preseason.
In the past, NFL teams stepped down cuts in phases, but now they will go to one big cut all the way to 90 after the end of the preseason. The change was implemented to give more end-of-the-roster players an opportunity in the third and final preseason game.
Aug. 30 – Players placed on injured reserve are eligible to be recalled. All players placed on injured reserve before Aug. 30, including in the final roster cut-down on Aug. 29, must remain on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season, unless the team and player reach an injury waiver.
2023 NFL IN-SEASON IMPORTANT DATES
Sept. 7 – NFL Kickoff, Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
Oct. 1 – NFL International, Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars, Wembley Stadium, London, England
Oct. 8 – NFL International, Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
Oct. 15 – NFL International Game, Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
Oct. 31 – NFL trade deadline, 4 p.m.
Nov. 5 – NFL International Game, Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs, Frankfurt Stadium, Frankfurt, Germany
Nov. 12 – NFL International Game, Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots, Frankfurt Stadium, Frankfurt, Germany
Jan. 7 – Last game of the regular season.
Jan. 8 – Teams may begin signing eligible players to contracts for the 2024 season. Teams can also exercise their fifth-year options on players from the 2021 NFL Draft. The Steelers will have a decision to make about the fifth-year option for 2021 first-round running back Najee Harris.
Jan. 15 – Deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jan. 30 – Feb. 3 Senior Bowl, Mobile, Alabama
Feb. 1 – East-West Shrine Game, Dallas, Texas
Feb. 4 – Pro Bowl Games, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Feb. 11 – Super Bowl LVIII, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
2024 NFL OFFSEASON IMPORTANT DATES
Feb. 20 – Teams can begin to use the franchise and transition tags for the 2024 season.
Feb. 27-March 4 – 2024 NFL Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium and Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
March 5 – Deadline for teams to use the franchise and transition tags for the 2024 season.
March 11 – Beginning of the free agent contact period.
March 13 – First day of the new league year.
March 24-27 – Annual league meeting, Orlando, Florida
April 15 – Start of offseason workout programs
April 25-27 – 2024 NFL Draft, Detroit, Michigan
May 2 – Deadline for team to exercise fifth-year option on 2021 first-round draft picks.
May 10-13 – Steelers 2024 rookie minicamp