As the Browns continue their search for a new head coach, the preparation for the 2026 season is underway.
Decisions surrounding the coaching staff will be a key piece of the offseason, alongside the moves made in free agency and the players selected with their draft picks. The Browns officially hold the No. 6 and No. 24 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft – as well as eight other draft picks – and they will continue ramping up for draft season with the 2026 Panini Bowl and NFL Combine quickly approaching.
Let's take a look at the biggest offseason dates to keep on the radar over the next several months as the league prepares for the NFL Combine, free agency, the NFL Draft and more.
Jan. 27: The East-West Shrine Bowl will take place in Frisco, Texas, giving the top college football players and draft prospects an opportunity to showcase their skillsets in front of NFL scouts, coaches and executives from all 32 teams.
Jan. 31: The Panini Senior Bowl will take place in Mobile, Ala., providing top seniors and draft picks a chance to demonstrate their skills and connect with coaches, scouts and front office members. There are three practices before the game set for Jan. 31.
Feb. 3: The Pro Bowl Games will take place in San Francisco, Calif.
Feb. 17-March 3: Clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players until 4 p.m. ET on March 3. These tags can be used by teams to limit the mobility of one of its upcoming free agents. Teams are only allowed on tag per offseason.
Feb. 23-March 2: The NFL Scouting Combine will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The week-long event will bring coaches, general managers, front office members and scouts to evaluate workouts and conduct interviews with draft prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
March 9-11: The NFL's negotiation period begins for players who are set to hit free agency. During this two-day negotiation period, clubs are allowed to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents once their 2025 player contracts expire. Self-represented players – or unrepresented players – can also communicate directly with members of front offices about contract negotiations.
March 11: The new league year and the free agency signing period officially begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. Contracts from the 2025 season expire, and free agents can make new contracts official with new teams. Trades can be executed again beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
March 29-April 1: The NFL's Annual League Meeting will occur in Phoenix, Ariz.
April 6: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 15: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 22: Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
Also, the deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.
April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft will take place over three days, set to take place in Pittsburgh, Pa.
May 1-4 or May 8-11: Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the draft.
There are a few other key dates that will be announced at a later time, such as OTAs and the 2026 schedule release.
