At one time, the NFL used to be a six-month enterprise, beginning in August and ending in January. Those days are over. Have been for some time.
The league has something going on all the time now. There’s no down period anymore, sans the six-week period in June and July that spans between mini-camps and training camp. And that flies.
This coming week will be one of the NFL’s busiest, the beginning of unrestricted free agency. For the next few weeks, teams will be in hot pursuit to sign players to fortify their rosters for the upcoming season.
The festivities actually begin on Monday, March 9, the “legal tampering” window, although no contracts can be made official until Wednesday afternoon.
Here is a rundown of facts, dates, and figures as per the NFL.
March 9-11
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”) 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. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an unrepresented player.
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.
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.
Important notes
New coach benefit
The Giants are one of the teams that will be operating under a new head coach (John Harbaugh). As a result, they will be permitted to open their offseason program two weeks early, beginning April 6.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Calm before the Giants storm: Free agency frenzy starts on Monday
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
