Breaking News:Lions 2024 offseason calendar: Important dates, deadlines, and events

Lions 2024 offseason calendar: Important dates, deadlines, and events 

 

Unfortunately, the Detroit Lions’ offseason is here. After this weekend’s

Pro Bowl, we won’t see any Lions on the field for several months.

However, the franchise will be very active during the offseason, with a full calendar of events, deadlines, and

important dates. General manager Brad Holmes will have his hands full maintaining the team’s recent success.

So here’s a look at the upcoming offseason, including all of the key dates to remember

On February 20th, the window for franchise and transition tag players opens.

The Lions’ list of free agents does not appear to include anyone they would consider for the franchise tag. The most likely candidate is left guard Jonah

Jackson, but the franchise tag would cost Detroit an estimated $21.7 million. That’s not happening.

February 27–March 4 — NFL Scouting Combine

We understand how important the interview process is for the Lions at the NFL Scouting Combine, so the entire

team will be in Indianapolis for the weeklong event. For a more detailed schedule of the NFL Combine, click here.

March 5 marks the deadline for franchise tag/transition tag players.

If the Lions want to franchise tag or transition tag a player, they must do so before March 5.

Starting at Noon ET, teams can begin negotiating with the agents of players who will become unrestricted free

agents. This is where many of the first deals are completed. While a player cannot officially sign during this two-day

period, they may “agree to terms” with teams. Last year, the Lions were able to acquire Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel

Moseley, and David Montgomery during the tampering period, so expect some early action this year.

March 13 — HAPPY NEW LEAGUE YEAR + START OF FREE AGENCY

Starting at 4 p.m. ET, every player who was supposed to be a free agent becomes one. They are then free to communicate,

visit, and sign with any other team. Players who “agreed to terms” during the tampering period are now able to sign.

League owners’ meetings will take place on March 24 and 27.

The first of two offseason owners meetings, where new NFL rules will be discussed, as well as other important league issues. Coaches, general

managers, and owners are typically available to the media. This year’s meetings will take place in Orlando, Florida.

Mid-April: New Lions uniforms?

Last year, Lions team president Rod Wood hinted that new uniforms would arrive in 2024. There has been no

confirmation of this, and there is no set date. The Lions last unveiled uniforms on April 13, 2017.

Last year, the Cardinals unveiled new uniforms on April 21, providing more recent precedent for an April release.

Plus, it would be nice to show off these new uniforms before Detroit takes the stage for the NFL Draft later this month.

April 15 — Lions can begin offseason workouts.

Prior to the start of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), teams are allowed to

begin Phase 1 of their offseason workouts, which primarily include strength, conditioning, and rehab.

April 17: Deadline for “top-30” visits with NFL Draft prospects.

Teams can host a maximum of 30 NFL Draft prospects at their facility for

interviews, medical testing, and timing. Those must be completed by April 17—roughly a week before the draft.

April 17: Deadline for “top-30” visits with NFL Draft prospects.

Teams can host a maximum of 30 NFL Draft prospects at their facility for

interviews, medical testing, and timing. Those must be completed by April 17—roughly a week before the draft.

April 19: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.

April 19: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.

 

The Lions currently have six restricted free agents. If Detroit extends a tender to any of them, the player has until April 19

to either sign the offer sheet, hold out, or find an offer from another team—allowing Detroit to match.

April 25-27: NFL Draft in Detroit!

As a reminder, the NFL draft schedule works as follows:

Thursday, April 25 — 8 p.m. ET — First round.

Friday, April 26—7 p.m. ET: Second and third rounds.

Saturday, April 27 – 12 p.m. ET — fourth to seventh rounds.

May 2: Deadline to exercise fifth-year option for 2021 first-round picks.

Penei Sewell is the Lions’ eligible player to exercise his fifth-year option. If the Lions do not offer him a new contract, he

will almost certainly be released. Erik Schlitt outlined the case for giving Sewell a fifth-year option, including an estimate of the cost.

May 3-6 or May 10-13: Rookie minicamp.

Teams can choose which three-day stretch to hold rookie minicamp for their

new draft class. Remember, this is also when teams hold tryouts for young players who may make the team.

For the past two years, the Lions have held rookie minicamp during the second window.

Mid-May: NFL schedule release.

The schedule was previously released in April, but due to COVID, it is now

released in May. It was May 11 last year, May 12 the previous year, and May 13 the year before that.

Late-May, early-June — OTAs and mandatory minicamp

During the four-week offseason, teams participate in ten voluntary, unpadded practices. They also receive a three-day mandatory practice schedule.

Last year, Lions OTAs and minicamp lasted from May 23 to June 15. However, it’s worth noting that during the final set

of OTAs, the Lions typically dismiss veterans and encourage their young players to stay.

July: Training camp (late July).

Last year’s training camp began on July 23. The full training camp schedule is typically released in late June or early

July. Last year, on June 27, it was announced that 10 practices would be open to the public.

Get related article>>>https://kvibezsport.co.uk/?p=6177&preview=true