Some of you were wondering what the NFL calendar for 2011 would look like. Well, the NFL just released it, so here are the key dates leading up to the beginning of the regular season:
July 25 (Today)
NFL will publish the 2011 Free Agency List, which will become effective July 29, 2011 at 6 p.m., New York time.
July 26
At 10 a.m., New York time, Club facilities open. Players may report for physicals and voluntary strength and conditioning.
At 10 a.m., New York time, Trading begins for 2011 League Year.
Rosters expanded to ninety (90) man limit.
At 10 a.m., New York time, Clubs may negotiate with and SIGN their own Drafted Rookies and any Undrafted Rookie. Clubs may have such players report to the Club's facilities for physical examinations prior to signing.
All 2011 Contracts signed on or after July 26 shall be binding upon the player and the Club when signed, but shall not become effective unless a CBA is ratified by the NFLPA (August 4)
At 10 a.m., New York time, Clubs may NEGOTIATE with, but not sign, or extend Offer Sheets to, their own UFAs, RFAs, Exclusive Rights Players and Franchise Players and other Clubs' UFAs, RFAs, non-exclusive Franchise Players and free agents.
July 26-27
A Club may require a player to report for a mandatory physical examination in order for the player to qualify for any bonus in a preexisting contract if the "measuring date" for such a bonus has been changed pursuant to CBA Article 11 (Transition Rules for the 2011 League Year).
July 27
Camp opens for 10 Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 11 (ARZ, BLT, DAL, DEN, JAX, NE, OAK, PHI, SD, SEA)
July 28
Camp opens for 10 Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 12
(ATL, CIN, DET, KC, MIA, NO, PIT, SF, TB, WAS)
At 4:01 p.m., New York time, waivers begin for the 2011 League Year
July 29
Camp opens for ten Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 13 (BUF, CAR, CHI, CLV, GB, IND, MIN, NYG, STL, TEN)
At 6 p.m., New York time, Clubs may SIGN, or extend Offer Sheets to, all eligible players, in addition to Drafted and Undrafted Rookies.
July 31
Camp opens for two Clubs whose first preseason game is on August 15 (NYJ, HST)
August 4
First day of 2011 League Year at 4:01 p.m., New York time, assuming NFLPA has ratified the CBA
All Clubs must be within the Salary Cap at 4:01 p.m., New York time
August 11-15
First Preseason Weekend
September 8-12
First Regular Season weekend.