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Though the sting from their loss to the Seattle Seahawks hasn't yet subsided, the Los Angeles Rams have turned the page to the offseason. Their attention is now focused on building the best team possible for 2026 as they look to make another run at a Super Bowl.
Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft are already approaching, as are several other key dates on the offseason calendar. These are the important dates to know as the Rams progress through the spring and into the summer, leading up to the 2026 campaign.
Beginning February 17, teams can apply the franchise or transition tags to pending free agents. The deadline to use either tag is March 3.
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will be held in Indianapolis, as usual. Most of the top players in the upcoming draft class will go through testing drills and measurements during this week in Indy.
For 52 hours before free agency officially begins on March 11, teams will be permitted to negotiate contracts with the agents of pending free agents – also known as the legal negotiation (or tampering) period.
The new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, officially allowing players to sign free-agent contracts with other teams. Additionally, trades can made official at this time after previously being agreed upon.
The league's owners, coaches and top executives will descend upon Phoenix for a few days in the desert to meet and discuss important topics for the 2026 season.
The Rams don't typically bring in prospects for official visits at their facility, but the deadline to do so is April 15. They can also meet with prospects at any other location until April 22.
The Rams can begin their offseason workout program on April 20, being a team with a returning head coach. Teams with new head coaches get a headstart, as they're able to start their programs on April 6, but the Rams can get going two weeks later.
The Rams only have two restricted free agents in 2026: Keir Thomas and Nick Hampton. Teams can sign them to offer sheets until April 22, if the Rams tender either player.
The draft continues its annual circuit with a stop in Pittsburgh for the first time. It will be held near the end of April, from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25.
For the first time since Jared Goff, the Rams have a decision to make when it comes to the fifth-year option. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was a first-rounder in 2023 by the Commanders, but it's the Rams who have to decide whether they want to exercise his option for 2027 by May 1.
Teams are allowed to hold a three-day rookie minicamp in May on two designated weekends. The Rams don't usually hold a traditional rookie minicamp, however.
There will be a second meeting between owners, coaches and executives this spring in Orlando as discussions about key talking points continue, including rule changes.
If the Rams use the franchise tag on any player, they will have until July 15 to sign that player to a contract extension. If no deal is reached by then, he will remain on the tag for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL offseason schedule: Important dates for LA Rams to know
Continue reading...
Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft are already approaching, as are several other key dates on the offseason calendar. These are the important dates to know as the Rams progress through the spring and into the summer, leading up to the 2026 campaign.
Feb. 17-March 3: Window for teams to use franchise/transition tag
Beginning February 17, teams can apply the franchise or transition tags to pending free agents. The deadline to use either tag is March 3.
Feb. 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will be held in Indianapolis, as usual. Most of the top players in the upcoming draft class will go through testing drills and measurements during this week in Indy.
March 9-11: Legal negotiating period of free agency
For 52 hours before free agency officially begins on March 11, teams will be permitted to negotiate contracts with the agents of pending free agents – also known as the legal negotiation (or tampering) period.
March 11: New league year and free agency begin at 4 p.m. ET
The new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, officially allowing players to sign free-agent contracts with other teams. Additionally, trades can made official at this time after previously being agreed upon.
March 29-April 1: Annual league meeting in Phoenix
The league's owners, coaches and top executives will descend upon Phoenix for a few days in the desert to meet and discuss important topics for the 2026 season.
April 15: Deadline for teams to bring in draft prospects for visits
The Rams don't typically bring in prospects for official visits at their facility, but the deadline to do so is April 15. They can also meet with prospects at any other location until April 22.
April 20: Clubs with returning head coaches can begin offseason workout programs
The Rams can begin their offseason workout program on April 20, being a team with a returning head coach. Teams with new head coaches get a headstart, as they're able to start their programs on April 6, but the Rams can get going two weeks later.
April 22: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
The Rams only have two restricted free agents in 2026: Keir Thomas and Nick Hampton. Teams can sign them to offer sheets until April 22, if the Rams tender either player.
April 23-25: 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
The draft continues its annual circuit with a stop in Pittsburgh for the first time. It will be held near the end of April, from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25.
May 1: Deadline for teams to exercise 5th-year option on 2023 draft picks
For the first time since Jared Goff, the Rams have a decision to make when it comes to the fifth-year option. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was a first-rounder in 2023 by the Commanders, but it's the Rams who have to decide whether they want to exercise his option for 2027 by May 1.
May 1-4 or 8-11: Clubs may hold three-day rookie minicamp
Teams are allowed to hold a three-day rookie minicamp in May on two designated weekends. The Rams don't usually hold a traditional rookie minicamp, however.
May 19-20: Spring league meeting in Orlando
There will be a second meeting between owners, coaches and executives this spring in Orlando as discussions about key talking points continue, including rule changes.
July 15: Deadline for teams to sign franchise players to contract extension
If the Rams use the franchise tag on any player, they will have until July 15 to sign that player to a contract extension. If no deal is reached by then, he will remain on the tag for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL offseason schedule: Important dates for LA Rams to know
Continue reading...
