When Does NFL Free Agency 2015 Start?

The Dallas Cowboys will most likely have to let DeMarco Murray walk and test Free Agency. (Getty)

The Dallas Cowboys will most likely have to let DeMarco Murray walk and test Free Agency. (Getty)

The NFL calendar works differently than your typical Gregorian calendar — the league’s year officially begins during the second week of March. So, when does the league’s 2015 Free Agency Period begin?

The answer is: March 10th at 4 p.m. March 10th is the key date on the NFL calendar this year, and, leading up to 4 p.m., this time period is heavily known for many roster transactions including player cuts and trades. The itinerary for NFL teams leading up to 4 p.m. includes:

– Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must exercise options for 2015 on all players who have option clauses in their 2014 contracts
– Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a – Right of First Refusal/Compensation
– Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2014 contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit
– Top-51 Begins. All clubs must be under the 2015 salary cap prior to 4 p.m. ET
– All 2014 player contracts expire at 4 p.m. ET
– 2015 league year and free agency period begins at 4 p.m. ET
– Trading period for 2015 begins (4 p.m. ET)

After 4 p.m., free agents can officially begin to speak to other teams and negotiate new contracts as well as teams initiating trades. Here is the rest of the 2015 NFL offseason schedule.