The NFL offseason has some important dates on the horizon. Here’s how the Pittsburgh Steelers should be preparing early in 2022.
You could make a case that there has never been a bigger offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers than the one they are about to enter into in 2022. After being a competitive team with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for 18 years, the team will be in search of a new franchise signal-caller this year.
Likewise, Kevin Colbert is stepping down as the team’s GM, and whoever the team elects to go with as their next general manager could prove to have a lasting impact on this team in the future.
There is some good news. While the Steelers may not have a surplus of draft capital to work with this offseason, they do have more salary-cap space than they’ve had in years. With an ailing roster, they can use this to strengthen some weak positions.
Fans are going to be especially dialed in this offseason, as we look to see how the Steelers front office can improve this team. Here are all of the important offseason dates that you should be aware of in 2022, via Football Operations on NFL.com:
Steelers offseason dates:
| February | |
|---|---|
| Feb. 3 | East-West Shrine Bowl, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. |
| Feb. 5 | Senior Bowl, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama. |
| Feb. 6 | NFL Pro Bowl, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. |
| Feb. 13 | Super Bowl LVI, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California. |
| Feb. 19 | HBCU Legacy Bowl, Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana. |
| March | |
| Mar. 1-7 | NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. |
| Mar. 8 | Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players. |
| Mar. 14-16 | During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 14 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16, 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 2021 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 16. |
| 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. | |
| No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 16. | |
| Mar. 16 | The 2022 League Year and Free Agency period begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time. |
| The first day of the 2022 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16. 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 16. | |
| Mar. 16 | Trading period for 2022 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after the expiration of all 2021 contracts. |
| Mar. 27-30 | Annual League Meeting, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida. |
| April | |
| April 4 | Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2021 regular season may begin offseason workout programs. |
| April 18 | Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs |
| April 20 | Deadline to bring draft-eligible players to their facilities for a physical examination. |
| April 22 | Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. |
| April 27 | Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents. |
| April 27 | Deadline to time, test, and interview draft-eligible players. |
| April 28-30 | NFL Draft, Las Vegas, Nevada. |
Steelers have some pivotal days ahead
The offseason is important for all teams in the NFL, but few teams have bigger decisions to make than the Steelers do this year. What Pittsburgh does in the 2022 offseason will dictate the direction o their team in the future.
The Senior Bowl is the first big date on the schedule. Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert will be on hand to scout the prospects and take a long look at potential future picks this week. From here, the NFL Scouting Combine on March 1st-7th will be an important time for all teams.
The Steelers don’t have any players who would be getting the franchise tag this year on March 8th, but March 16th will be perhaps the biggest date of the offseason as the 2022 free agency period begins. With ample salary-cap space, Pittsburgh can afford to sign a few big names at the market to help fill some holes. March 16th and the days that follow will be critical for the Steelers.
Finally, all eyes will be on the Steelers as they take the stage for the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28th-30th. Right now, Pittsburgh has a plethora of draft needs, but how they spend their money in free agency will give us a much clearer picture of who they could be narrowing in on with the 20th overall pick this year.
You may want to bookmark this page and revisit it from time to time during the offseason. Don’t skip a beat as we will continue to bring you in-depth coverage of the Steelers each day throughout the offseason!