Key NFL Off Season Dates Every Chiefs Fan Should Know

Dec 22, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; A worker clears snow from the tunnel before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

As the Kansas City Chiefs cruise into their off season — a few weeks earlier than most Addicts would have liked — I thought I would put together a calendar for some key dates on the horizon. While the season may be over, football has become a year-round exploit. Here’s what’s coming up, following Superbowl XLVIII on February 2nd.

Feb. 17: First day for clubs to designate franchise or transition Players.

I wouldn’t look for any team to designate a “franchise” player on the first day available. Teams will still have almost a month to negotiate with big-name players who could potentially receive the tag.

Feb. 19-25: Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

This is the final “keystone event” prior to the NFL Draft. Many former college players who are now NFL hopefulls will attempt to wow scouts at this event. Look for draft boards to start solidifying themselves after this event.

March 8-11: 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 2013 player contracts at 4 p.m. ET on March 11. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4 p.m. ET on March 11.

Last season was the first year that this was able to happen and with the exception of a few players, it didn’t really make a difference one way or another. Teams went after who they wanted, but there was still some drama involved in players signing with new teams or remaining with their old club.

March 11: New league year, free agency begins.

This is when the “free agency frenzy” truly begins. March 11 – 13 is a pretty busy couple of days here at AA, because we’re constantly updating our “free agent” tracker, giving you the latest news from reliable sources as to who the Chiefs are targeting and signing.

March 23-26: Owners meeting, Orlando, Fla.

There could be some substantial changes made this year. One of the biggest talked-about items is the potential change to the playoff structure. This is when the owners vote on rule changes and league-wide changes.

April 7: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2013 regular season may begin off-season workout programs.

Fortunately for the Chiefs, this date doesn’t mean anything to them this year.

April 21: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin off-season workout programs.

The Chiefs will return to their off-season program and we here at AA will begin updating you with all the information that entails.

May 8-10: NFL draft, New York, Radio City Music Hall. First round begins at 8 p.m. ET.

The NFL Draft has been pushed back a couple of weeks this year so rookies from schools who graduate later can particiapte in the same events as their earlier-graduating counterparts. Regardless, this is the “crown jewell” of the off-season, where teams get better — or worse — based on their draft. AA will have ’round-the-clock coverage during the draft as well as post-draft when the team signs all the players who weren’t taken during the seven rounds.

There it is, Addicts. That’s what you have to look forward to in the off-season until the draft. I know May seems like an eternity away, but with everything else going on, it will be here before you know it.

We appreciate your readership and that you choose AA to get your Chiefs fix during the off-season!

Thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!

*Special thanks to ESPN.com for breaking down the dates