New Orleans Saints And The 2024 NFL Offseason Calendar
The Saints season is officially over, as we won't see any football activity in New Orleans until after the draft when the team takes the field for Rookie Minicamp in early May. That doesn't mean things won't be happening for the black and gold, as they have to get to work on next season's squad in several different areas. Here's a look at all the things on the NFL calendar that Saints fans should be in the know about.
Saints Offseason Calendar
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Johnathan Abram (24) dances during a time out before a kick off against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
January
- Jan. 13: The Hula Bowl, UCF - FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, Florida
- Jan. 13-15: Wild Card Playoff Weekend
- Jan. 15: Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.
- Jan. 20: Tropical Bowl, FBS All-Stars, Municipal Stadium, Orlando, Florida
- Jan. 20-21: Divisional Playoff Games
- Jan. 28: AFC and NFC Championship Games
Feb 4, 2023; Mobile, AL, USA;National quarterback Jake Haener of Fresno State (9) throws during the second half of the Senior Bowl college football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
February
- Feb. 1: East-West Shrine Bowl, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas
- Feb. 3: Senior Bowl, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama
- Feb. 4: Pro Bowl Games, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
- Feb. 11: Super Bowl LVIII, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Feb. 18: HBCU Combine, Saints Practice Facility, Metairie, Louisiana
- Feb. 20: Beginning on this date at 4:00 p.m. ET through March 5, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- Feb. 24: HBCU Legacy Bowl, Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Feb. 27-Mar. 4: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Mar 11, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis laughs at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
March
- Feb. 27-Mar. 4: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
- Mar. 5: Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- Mar. 11-13: 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 2023 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13. During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations.
- Mar. 13: The 2024 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m. ET. Simultaneously, the trading period for 2024 begins after expiration of all 2023 contracts.
- Mar. 24-27: Annual League Meeting, Orlando, Florida
- Mar. 30: UFL Season kicks off.
April
- Apr. 1: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2023 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
- Apr. 15: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
- Apr. 17: Deadline to bring draft-eligible players to their facilities for a physical examination.
- Apr. 19: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
- Apr. 24: Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents. 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.
- Apr. 25-27: NFL Draft, Detroit, Michigan
May
- May 2: Deadline for Clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2021 Draft.
- May 3-6 or May 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.
- Mid-May: Saints Hall of Fame Golf Classic, Kenner, Louisiana
- May 20-22: Spring League Meeting/Coach Accelerator, Nashville, TN
- Mid-to-Late May: NFL Schedule Release.
