Key dates for Commanders’ 2026 offseason

Jan. 5: Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2026 season (future contracts), including players from the CFL. Earliest permissible date for clubs to renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2023 NFL Draft or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2024. Any permissible renegotiated or extended player contract will not be considered a rookie contract and will not be subject to the rules that limit rookie contracts. Clubs may exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jan. 7: Beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET, on the Wednesday following the final regular season weekend, rosters are frozen for clubs participating in the postseason with limited exceptions.
Jan. 10-12: Wild Card Weekend.
Jan. 14: Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility.
Jan. 17-18: Divisional Playoffs
Jan. 25: AFC and NFC Championship Games
Jan. 27: East-West Shrine Bowl, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas.
Jan. 31: Senior Bowl, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama

Feb. 3: Pro Bowl Games, San Francisco, California.
Feb. 8: Super Bowl LX, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California.
Feb. 17: Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
Feb. 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.

March 3: Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 9-11: “Legal Tampering Period” – During the period beginning at 12:00 noon ET, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET on March 11, 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 2025 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 12. A prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“Unrepresented Player”) such as Laremy Tunsil is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET on March 11.
March 11: The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m. ET. The trading period for 2026 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, after expiration of all 2025 contracts. The first day of the 2026 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 12. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m. ET, and 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11.
March 29-April 1: Annual League Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.

April 6: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular...