With the Super Bowl in the books and the 2021 year nearly complete, here are some of the important NFL dates in the upcoming 2022 NFL Season.
February
Feb. 3: East-West Shrine Bowl, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Feb. 5: Senior Bowl, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.
Feb. 6: NFL Pro Bowl, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Feb. 13: Super Bowl LVI, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California.
Feb. 19: HBCU Legacy Bowl, Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Feb. 22: Franchise or Transition tags can be assigned
March
Mar. 1-7: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
One of the most important off-season events as it can drastically affect the draft order in April. This year’s Combine is currently under scrutiny for the Covid protocols they will be using, and may even be boycotted by many agents and players.
Mar. 8: Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, final deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
Mar. 14-16: 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 16.
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 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 16.
League Year Begins
Mar. 16: It’s on!! The 2022 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2022 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16. 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 16.
Mar. 16: Trading period for 2022 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2021 contracts.
Mar. 27-30: Annual League Meeting, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida.
Owners get together to discuss possible rule changes and other matters.
April
April 4: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2021 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 18: The Washington Commaders may begin their offseason workout programs
April 20: Deadline to bring draft-eligible players to their facilities for a physical examination.
April 22: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 27: Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents.
April 27: Deadline to time, test, and interview draft-eligible players.
NFL Draft
April 28-30: NFL Draft, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The first round is on Thursday, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, and then Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday.
Barring a trade, the first ever pick for the Washington Commanders will be the 11th pick overall.
The Commanders will also have the 42nd overall pick in Round 2, and the 73rd overall pick in Round 3.
Washington’s other draft selections will be finalized when the compensatory picks have been decided.
Last year Washington drafted Jamin Davis with their first pick, the 19th pick overall in the Draft.