With the Pittsburgh Steelers officially eliminated from the NFL Playoffs, it's time to start looking ahead to the 2025 offseason. Mike Tomlin's team was on a rollercoaster in 2024 and fans were along for the ride. Now it's time to make some lasting changes.
The first critical date on the 2025 NFL calendar is free agency. Not long from now, 32 teams will be scavenging the free-agent market and coming to terms with players who can improve their roster.
The Steelers, meanwhile, are set to have numerous players test the market as unrestricted free agents who could sign with other teams this offseason. Here are the important free agency dates you need to know before the chaos ensues.
NFL Negotiation period: March 10-12
The NFL Negotiation Period is also known as the 'legal tampering period' (which is an oxymoron if you think about it). This is the two-day period before the official start of free agency in which clubs are permitted to contact free agents and players with expired contracts can agree to terms with a new team.
According to Football Operations, The Negotiation Period will begin at 12:00 noon Eastern Time on Monday, March 10, and end at 3:59:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12. This is the negotiation period only and no unrestricted free agent can officially execute a contract during this time.
2025 NFL Free Agency: March 12
Immediately following the Negotiation Period, the 2025 NFL League Year and Free Agency signing period officially begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12. At this time, free agents can officially ink their agreed-upon contracts. Negotiations may continue and contacts can be signed for the remainder of the 2025 NFL League Year.
In addition to the Free Agency signing period beginning, the NFL trading period officially opens back up at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12. Teams will be free to negotiate and execute trades with players already under contract.