The 2025 NFL season is officially over, with the Seattle Seahawks now the Super Bowl champions of the world and the rest of the league chasing them. We will have a long time to talk about how the other 31 teams, including the Cleveland Browns, might copy what the champs did this season, including potentially signing some of their free agents.
For the Browns, a huge group of free agents litter their current roster and could lead to a lot of openings for new players, in NFL free agency and the 2026 NFL draft.
While Seattle fans bask in the glow of their title, Cleveland fans are hoping to find out who the team’s new defensive coordinator might be as the NFL quickly pivots to their offseason schedule:
Important 2026 NFL offseason dates
- February 17: Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m., New York time on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- February 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- March 9-11: During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 11, 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 2025 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.
- March 11: The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time. Trading period for 2026 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time
- April 6: Clubs, like the Browns, that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
- April 15: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
- April 20: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
- April 23-25: NFL Draft, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A little over a week after the end of the Super Bowl, which puts a ribbon on the 2025 NFL season, the 2026 NFL offseason kicks off. Cleveland’s front office and coaching staff, when it is complete, has a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it.