Here are the Kansas City Chiefs’ key offseason dates to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Franchise/transition tag window runs Feb 17–Mar 3 (3 p.m. CT) to secure expiring talent.
- Legal tampering starts Mar 9 (11 a.m. CT); new year/free agency/trades Mar 11 (3 p.m. CT).
- Combine (Indianapolis), draft in Pittsburgh, OTAs late May–early June and 3‑day mandatory minicamp.
With Super Bowl LX in the rearview mirror, the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL will turn their attention to the offseason.
The next seven months are full of key dates as the Chiefs shift into roster-retooling mode for the 2026 season.
Here are some of the key dates to know...
Feb. 17 (until March 3): Franchise tag window
From Feb. 17 through 3 p.m. Central on March 3, teams can use the franchise or transition tag on players with expiring contracts. Last year, the Chiefs used the franchise tag on Trey Smith before reaching a long-term extension.
Feb. 23-March 2: The Scouting Combine
The annual Scouting Combine is held in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Top prospects undergo medical evaluations, psychological testing, team interviews and on-field workouts. It’s also one of the offseason’s biggest touchpoints for team staff and agents. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach will speak to reporters at some point during the week.
March 9 (until March 11): The “legal tampering” period
At 11 a.m. Central on March 9, clubs can begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents ahead of the new league year.
March 11: New league year begins
At 3 p.m. Central on March 11, the new league year begins, along with free agency and the trade period. Contracts agreed to during “legal tampering” can become official on March 11.
March 29-April 1: Annual league meeting
The annual meeting is a major business checkpoint for league owners. This is usually when the Competition Committee offers rule-change recommendations for discussion.
April 15: Draft visit/testing deadline
After April 15, teams can no longer host draft-eligible players at their facility for testing, medical work or interviews. It’s worth noting that the league has a second cutoff on April 22 for talking with prospects at any location (including video meetings).
April 23-25: The NFL Draft
The league holds its annual draft this year in Pittsburgh. The Chiefs currently hold the No. 9 overall pick. Clubs can hold a three-day rookie minicamp during one of the next two weekends.
Mid-May: The 2026 schedule announcement
Typically sometime in early to mid-May, the NFL announces game dates and times for the upcoming season.
May 19-20: NFL spring meeting
The spring meeting is a follow-up to the annual meeting, usually including rule and playing policy debates that carried over. It serves as one last meeting point for owners before offseason workouts pick up.
Late May-early June: Organized team activities (OTAs)
In late May through early June, teams can hold up to 10 voluntary OTA practices, followed by a three-day mandatory minicamp. This marks the last offseason point of contact before training camp begins sometime in late July.
This story was originally published February 9, 2026 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Here are the Kansas City Chiefs’ key offseason dates to know."
