Important dates for the NFL offseason

Story byImportant dates for the NFL offseasonINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 2: A detail view of the NFL shield logo painted on the turf in SoFi Stadium prior to an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesJB ScottMon, February 23, 2026 at 1:49 AM UTC·2 min read

The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week starting on Monday. Teams will travel from all over the country to get a front-row seat at prospects ahead of the NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams’ front office won’t be in attendance. There are still plenty of key offseason dates to keep in mind.

Let’s pick our head up for a moment and see what all is on the horizon for the Rams:

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NFL Scouting Combine

February 23rd to March 2nd

While Rams brass won’t be putting prospects through the paces, they will still gather valuable intel into medical issues that could remove players from their draft board entirely. The combine is also an important time to gather intel on pending free agents, trade targets, and their potential price tags.

Franchise tag deadline

March 4th

LA doesn’t have a likely candidate for the franchise tag this year. Who other teams decide to tag could shape the overall free agent class and alter the Rams’ plans.

Free Agency – legal tampering

March 9th to March 11th

Starting at noon eastern time, unrestricted free agents can enter contract negotiations with new teams. The Rams may use this period to gauge price tags for their own players on expiring contracts and decide whether they can or want to retain them.

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The new league year begins on March 11th and reported signings from the tampering period can then become official. Trades also can be reported but not official until March 11th at noon.

Offseason workouts begin

April 20th

This is the date for teams with returning head coaches. Franchises with new coaching staffs start earlier on April 6th. Signed free agents will first join the team at this point.

NFL Draft

April 23rd to April 25th

The Rams will enjoy two first round picks on the opening night on Thursday. They’ll be active on the final two days as well. The event is held in Pittsburgh, PA this year.

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