Within three weeks, the Houston Texans will be back on the practice field, getting ready for the 2026 NFL season.
Houston, fresh off a 12-win season under third-year coach DeMeco Ryans, plans to be an x-factor in the AFC. Headlined by a No. 1 defense, plus a revamped offensive line, everything is lining up for a year to remember at the recently renamed Reliant Stadium.
But the NFL could be focusing now on the offseason following another Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Just looking at March in 2027, everything is about to get hectic, turning the league on its head for the first time in ages.
For starters, the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium will take place from March 1-8 for the 2027 season. Why is that important? On the following day, free agency begins, meaning the start of the new year is on its way. Teams can offically begin building their rosters for the 2027 season and begin prepping for the upcoming NFL draft.
Less than two weeks after the combine, the league’s annual owners’ meetings will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 21 and continue through the 24th.
That’s all in the offseason. As for the start of the 2026 season, there have also been several changes. Usually, rosters must be trimmed down to its annual 53-man squad days after the final preseason game. This year, rosters will be cut down by August 30.
The NFL trade deadline, which in the past has taken place in the final week of October or the first week in November, will take place on November 10. And the Super Bowl, which has been played at the start of the February, will be pushed back another, thus concluding the season on Valentine’s Day at SoFi Stadium.
For comparison, this past year’s Super Bowl took place on Feb. 8.
As for the NFL draft in Washington, D.C., it will take place on Thursday, April 29 and continue through Saturday, May 1.
Of course, the Texans’ only focus for now is winning their first-ever Super Bowl title. For that to happen, Houston must win its first-ever divisional round game and conference championship.
The Texans return for the start of training camp on July 21.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL announces key dates for crazy offseason starting after Valentine’s Day Super Bowl
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
