Knowing the 2016 NFL calendar

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the offseason now, and it is time to start focusing on how to get past the AFC Divisional round next year.

For starters, the Chiefs have to retain their own players before worrying about anything else. While general manager John Dorsey will be working on negotiations among other tasks, the scouts will be looking hard at every eligible college player, trying to get a detailed scouting report on who could be the next Marcus Peters or Justin Houston.

So, when will all the moves start happening? Here’s the 2016 NFL calendar:

Jan. 23: East-West Shrine Game
Jan. 30: Senior Bowl
Feb 8: Waiver system begins
Feb. 13: NFL regional combines begin
Feb. 16: Franchise tag window opens
Feb 23-29: NFL Scouting Combine
March 1: NFL franchise tag deadline
March 7: Tampering window begins
March 9: Free agency opens
April 4: Offseason program begins for teams with new coaches
April 18: Offseason program begins for all other teams
April 28-30: 2016 NFL DraftMay 6-9: Rookie minicamps begin

Obviously, there are a few major dates in there. We are more than three months away from the NFL Draft, but there are only six weeks until free agency. It is going to be insane for Dorsey, trying to lock down all the star players up for a new deal, while looking at draft prospects.