Browns fans watched the 2023 NFL season come to a close on Sunday as the Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl in a 25-22 win over San Francisco. As fan bases across the league officially turn the page on the season that was and look ahead to season that awaits.
With teams now getting settled into offseason mode, there are as always a number of key dates to keep in mind, particularly for the Browns as they stat assembling a roster for 2024.
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Feb. 20 – Starting at 4 p.m. ET, NFL teams can begin negotiating franchise and transition tags for players.
*It's unclear if the Browns have any interest in utilizing their tag this offseason.
Feb. 27 - Mar. 3 – NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Ind. The schedule of interviews & workouts by position is as is as follows:
- Thursday, Feb 29, 3 p.m. ET – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
- Friday, March 1, 3 p.m. ET – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends
- Saturday, March 2, 1 p.m. ET – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
- Sunday, March 3, 1 p.m. ET – Offensive Linemen
March 5 – Teams have until 4 p.m. to designate franchise or transition tags on players.
March. 11-13 – This window represents everyone's favorite oxymoron as legal tampering begins around 4 p.m. on Monday, March 11. During this time teams 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 2023 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 13.
March 13 – The 2024 League Year, Free Agent signing period and trading period open up after the expiration of all 2023 contracts at 4:00 p.m., EST
The first day of the 2024 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 13. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 13.
March 24-27 – The annual league meeting in Orlando, Fla. This gathering serves as an opportunity for refection and usually comes with proposals for potential rule changes.
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April 1 – Teams with new head coaches after the 2023 season can begin their offseason program
April 15 – Teams with returning head coaches, like the Browns, can begin their offseason program
April 17 – Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft- eligible player at its club facility.
April 19 – Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
*The Browns have one restricted free agent in CB Kahlef Hailassie.
April 24 – Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
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 25-27 – NFL Draft in Detroit, Mich.
*Browns current collection of picks includes: own second rounder, own third rounder, Eagles fifth rounder via Cardinals, Ravens sixth rounder.
May 2 – Deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
*The Browns will have to decide if they'll pick up Greg Newsome's fifth-year option which would be worth around $12.5 million.
May 3-6 or 10-13 – 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.
May 13 – Rookie Football Development Programs begin.
May 20-26 – Spring League Meeting/Coach Accelerator, Nashville, TN. This gathering generally sees the owners vote on new rule changes that per proposed at previous league meeting.