What’s Coming Up In The NFL?
The 2021-22 NFL season is now coming to an end, with the Los Angeles Rams being crowned world champions.
While we won’t be able to watch football on Sundays for six months, there is still plenty of excitement on the horizon.
As the bow gets tied on the this season, let’s take a look at what lies ahead in the coming months of the NFL offseason.
NFL Combine
The first event of the offseason is the NFL combine, which will take place from Mar. 1 to Mar. 7.
In just a few weeks, the top talent available for the 2022 NFL Draft will head to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to participate in a plethora of drills.
These drills, such as the 40-yard dash, bench press and the vertical jump allow draft eligible players to showcase their speed, skills and strength.
The performance of the players in these drills will be studied by NFL teams, and could subsequently raise or even lower a player’s draft stock.
Franchise Tag Deadline
The 15-day window for teams to assign players to a franchise or transition tag begins on Feb. 22 and ends on Mar. 8.
If a team places a franchise tag on a player, it effectively blocks that player from hitting free agency in the new league year.
If a team designates a player to a transition tag, it gives them the right to match any offer that player may receive in free agency, letting them retain the player for that price.
Clubs are only allowed one franchise tag and one transition tag per year.
Some notable players that could receive a franchise tag include Packers receiver Davante Adams, Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson, Patriots corner J.C. Jackson and Bengals safety Jessie Bates.
Free Agency
The new league year for the NFL begins on Mar. 16, marking the start of free agency.
This means that all players whose contracts have expired are available to sign with new teams.
The new league year also means that teams can begin trading amongst eachother, as all players’ contracts for the 2021 season have expired.
Offseason Workouts
Teams are able to start their offseason training and workout programs in April.
Clubs with a new head coach may begin offseason workouts on April 4, all other teams can begin their workouts on April 18.
This is typically the first time that newly-signed players will be seen in their new team’s threads.
NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada is perhaps one of the biggest events of the offseason each year.
After months of extensive scouting, all 32 NFL teams will have the opportunity to select collegiate, draft-eligible players in order to fullfill team needs and add youth to the team.
Round one of the draft will take place on April 28. Rounds two and three will be the next day, April 27.
The rest of the draft, rounds four to seven, will take place on April 30.
Darian Capobianco is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email dpc5734@psu.edu.
