Dallas Cowboys: Important 2023 NFL offseason dates to know

With the Dallas Cowboys‘ divisional round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the rearview, the 2023 offseason has officially arrived.

The Cowboys have franchise tags to designate, prospects to scout and draft, and many deals to make between now and the start of rookie minicamp in May.

Here are the most important dates of the offseason for Dallas and the rest of the NFL.

Key 2023 offseason dates

January 28: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

February 2: East-West Shrine Game

February 4: Senior Bowl

February 21: Starting at 4:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 21, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.

February 28 through March 6: NFL Scouting Combine

March 7: 4 p.m. ET deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 7: Start of college Pro Days. Workouts for draft-eligible players outside of Pro Day are prohibited, however, private dinners, meetings, and interviews are permitted.

March 7 through April 19: Draft-eligible prospects may begin facility visits. Clubs permitted 30 non-local players for physical exams/visits; on-field workouts not permitted.

March 7 through April 26: Video or telephone interviews with draft-eligible players begin. Three video or telephone interviews per player; no longer than one hour each.

League New Year

March 13 through March 15: Beginning at 12 noon ET, Los Angeles time, on March 13 and ending at 4 p.m. ET on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.

During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor can communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations.

Prospective unrestricted free agents must wait to execute contracts with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET on March 15.

March 15: The 2023 League Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. ET.

The trading period for 2023 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET after the expiration of all 2022 contracts.

March 26 through March 29: Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, AZ

April 3: Clubs with new head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.

April 17: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.

April 19: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at club facility.

April 21: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offers.

April 26: Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents.

April 27: 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 27-April 29: NFL Draft in Kansas City

May 1: Deadline for clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2020 Draft.

May 5-8 or May 12-15: Cowboys can hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.

May 22-May 24: Spring League Meeting