Breaking down the important dates and events on the NFL calendar for the Miami Dolphins and the other NFL teams
The NFL offseason kicked into high gear now once the 2022 season officially ended following the Kansas City Chiefs' 38-35 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
For the Miami Dolphins, the next orders of business have been finalizing their coaching staff, starting with the official hiring of Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator, and doing scouting work (of their own players and others around the league) to prepare for free agency.
Here's the rundown of the most important dates on the NFL offseason calendar through the draft and until teams wrap up their OTAs in June before going away for some R&R ahead of the start of training camp in July..
February 2023
Tuesday, Feb. 21 — Beginning this date through 4 p.m., New York time on March 7 clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
Feb. 28-March 6 — NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Ind.
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March 2023
Tuesday, March 7 — Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 13-15 — During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 14 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16, 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 2021 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 15.
During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor 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 p.m., New York time, on March 15.
Wednesday, March 15 — The 2023 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4 p.m., New York time.
Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2023 on all players who have option clauses in their 2022 contracts.
Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit Qualifying Offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.
Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2022 contracts who have fewer than three Accrued Seasons of free agency credit.
Top 51 Rule is in effect. All clubs must be under the 2023 Salary Cap prior to 4 p.m., New York time. All 2022 NFL player contracts will expire at 4:p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2023 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 15. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 15.
Trading period for 2023. Trading begins at 4 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2022 contracts.
Commencing at 4 p.m., New York time, Clubs may designate up to two Player Contracts that, if terminated on or prior to June 1, 2023, and if not renegotiated after January 9, 2023, shall be treated as if terminated on June 2, subject to the further requirements of CBA Article 13, Section 6(b)(ii)(1).
March 26-29 — Annual League Meeting, The Biltmore, Phoenix, Arizona
April 2023
Monday, April 3 — Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2022 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
Monday, April 17 — Clubs with returning head coaches, like the Dolphins, may begin offseason workout programs, which will include 10 OTA days and one mandatory minicamp.
Wednesday, April 19 — Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
Friday, April 21 — Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
Wednesday, April 26 — Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents. ... Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls), or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.
April 27-29 — NFL Draft, Kansas City, Missouri
May 2023
Tuesday, May 2 — Deadline for Clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2020 Draft. For the Dolphins, that would include QB Tua Tagovailoa, G/T Austin Jackson and CB Noah Igbinoghene.
May 5-8 or May 12-15 — Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the Draft.
May 22-24 — Spring League Meeting, TBD
June 2023
Mid-June — Teams wrap up their offseason program.
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Alain Poupart has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989. You can follow him on Twitter at @PoupartNFL. Feel free to submit questions every week for the All Dolphins mailbag via Twitter or via email at fnalldolphins@yahoo.com.
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