GREEN BAY – With the NFL Scouting Combine less than two weeks away, here is a quick look at the upcoming key dates the Packers are approaching on the offseason calendar.
Feb. 25: First day for clubs to designate franchise or transition players.
The Packers have 14 unrestricted free agents, including tackle Bryan Bulaga, kicker Mason Crosby, linebacker Blake Martinez and cornerback Tramon Williams . They haven't used the franchise tag since 2010 (Ryan Pickett). The last player to receive the transition tag was Bubba Franks in 2005.
Feb. 25-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The Packers will ramp up their draft preparation at the annual event at Lucas Oil Stadium, sitting down for interviews and doing medical checks with some of the 337 prospects in attendance. NFL teams can schedule up to 45 18-minute formal interviews.
March 10: Prior to 3 p.m. CT, deadline to designate franchise or transition players.
March 16-18: Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2019 player contracts at 3 p.m. CT, on March 18.
March 18: Prior to 3 p.m. CT, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents with expiring contracts to retain a right of first refusal/compensation. Clubs also must submit a minimum salary tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2019 contracts who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free-agency credit.
The Packers have one restricted free agent (fullback Malcolm Johnson) and five exclusive-rights free agents who must be extended contracts to be retained: receivers Allen Lazard and Jake Kumerow, tight end Robert Tonyan, cornerback Chandon Sullivan and defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster.
March 18: The 2020 league year and free agency begin. All clubs must be under the salary cap by 3 p.m. CT.
March 29-April 1: Annual League Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 23-25: The 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
The Packers currently have 10 draft choices, including the sixth-round pick they received from Oakland (Trevor Davis trade) and two additional seventh-rounders through trades (Baltimore/Ty Montgomery and Tennessee/Reggie Gilbert).
April 27: Beginning this date, NFL clubs may request permission to visit with, try out, or sign any player who was under contract to the XFL at the conclusion of the XFL season.
May 1-4: Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.
May 5: Deadline for prior club to send "May 5 tender" to its unsigned unrestricted free agents. If the player has not signed a player contract with a club by July 22 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later, he may negotiate or sign a player contract from that date until the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, at 3 p.m. CT, only with his prior club.
May 8-11: Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.
