- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
NFL Offseason Schedule: Key Dates for Commanders
From the scouting combine to the draft, here are the important offseason events for the Washington Commanders
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
With the 2026 NFL season officially over, the offseason is underway for all 32 teams, including the Washington Commanders. The Commanders have already made coaching changes and are now preparing for free agency and the upcoming draft. This article outlines the key offseason dates that the Commanders and other NFL teams need to know, from the scouting combine to the start of the new league year.
Why it matters
The NFL offseason is a critical time for teams to evaluate their rosters, sign free agents, and prepare for the draft. These key dates will determine the Commanders' roster moves, draft strategy, and overall offseason approach as they look to improve the team for the 2026 season.
The details
The offseason schedule kicks off with the window for teams to use the franchise or transition tag, which runs from February 17 to March 3. The Commanders do not have any franchise or transition tag candidates this year. The NFL Scouting Combine then takes place from February 23 to March 2 in Indianapolis, where draft prospects will meet with teams and go through workouts. Free agency's legal negotiating period follows from March 9-11, before the new league year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. The Commanders and other teams can then officially sign free agents. Other key dates include the annual league meeting on March 29-April 1, the deadline for teams to bring in draft prospects on April 15, and the 2026 NFL Draft from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
- The window for teams to use the franchise or transition tag runs from February 17 to March 3.
- The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine takes place from February 23 to March 2 in Indianapolis.
- The legal negotiating period of free agency is from March 9-11.
- The new league year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
- The annual league meeting is on March 29-April 1 in Phoenix.
The players
Washington Commanders
The NFL team based in Washington, D.C. that plays in the NFC East division.
Emmanuel Forbes
A cornerback drafted by the Commanders in 2023 who was released midway through the 2024 season and claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams.
What’s next
The Commanders will need to decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option on cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who was released in 2024 and claimed by the Los Angeles Rams.
The takeaway
The Commanders, like all NFL teams, have a busy offseason ahead as they prepare for free agency, the draft, and the 2026 season. These key offseason dates will be crucial in shaping the Commanders' roster and determining their path forward.
