Packers: Important dates for fans to know this offseason
Here are some important offseason dates for the Green Bay Packers.
The offseason is here, but it is by no means a quiet time of the year. Building the roster is the focus over the next few months, making it an interesting period for the Green Bay Packers.
There isn’t really an offseason in the NFL. Things quickly moved from the regular season to the postseason, and next up is free agency and draft season.
Here are some important dates for the Packers this offseason, according to NFL Ops:
Feb. 24-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine
An important part of the pre-draft process, the Packers will be able to learn more about the top prospects in the class, including a talented group of wide receivers. They will also be able to interview prospects, getting to know them better.
Feb. 25: First day to designate Franchise or Transition Players
The only likely candidate for the franchise tag this offseason is Mason Crosby if a long-term deal can’t be agreed before then. But it’s hard to imagine they won’t be able to work out a new contract, and it’s unlikely the Packers will use the tag this offseason.
March 10: Deadline for Franchise or Transition Players
March 16-18: Packers can begin negotiations with agents of unrestricted free agents
Effectively, free agency begins here. Referred to as the “legal tampering” period, the Packers will be able to agree on contracts with agents of players who are set to become unrestricted free agents a couple of days later. Last year, the big signings of Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos were reported during this period.
March 18: New league year begins, 2019 contracts expire, teams must be under the salary cap, trading period begins
Now free agency officially begins. Deals agreed in the “legal tampering” period become official, unrestricted free agents yet to sign are now free to sign anywhere, and the Packers can begin to explore trades around the league.
It’ll be interesting to see which of the Packers’ unrestricted free agents are re-signed prior to the “legal tampering” window, and who become free agents on March 18. The Packers could still re-sign players at this date or later, of course, but they’d also risk losing them to other teams.
April 20: Offseason program can begin
This is two weeks earlier for teams with new head coaches, but under second-year Matt LaFleur, the Packers can kick off their offseason program on this date.
April 23-25: 2020 NFL Draft
Here we go. The excitement of the NFL Draft takes place in late April. The Packers will be picking 30th overall in the opening round, barring a trade, and will have plenty of opportunities to strengthen at positions of need throughout the three-day event.
May 1-4 or May 8-11: Three-day rookie minicamp
The Packers will have the choice to hold their rookie minicamp either between the dates of May 1-4, or May 8-11.
July 15: Deadline to sign players on franchise tag to long-term contracts
If the Packers do use the franchise tag, let’s say on Mason Crosby, they’ll have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. If not, Crosby would only be able to sign the one-year franchise tag and negotiate a new deal the following offseason.
Mid-July: Training camp begins
Football is back. After what should be an interesting offseason, players will return from their summer breaks ready for the second year under LaFleur. Training camp and the preseason is always important, the start of the long journey to the end of the season. And hopefully another successful one for Green Bay.