Important NFL dates to know as the Indianapolis Colts head into a crucial offseason with multiple big decisions to make

The 2024 season is officially over, with the Philadelphia Eagles finishing the year as Super Bowl champions.  The NFL never sleeps, though, as one door shuts, many more are set to open very soon. Below are all of the dates you need to know ahead of the 2025 NFL offseason. One that could be make or […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard held is season-ending press conference on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2024 season is officially over, with the Philadelphia Eagles finishing the year as Super Bowl champions.  

The NFL never sleeps, though, as one door shuts, many more are set to open very soon. Below are all of the dates you need to know ahead of the 2025 NFL offseason. One that could be make or break for multiple members of the Indianapolis Colts. 

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2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Dates: February 27-March 2

The NFL Scouting Combine is again in Indianapolis this year, where it should remain forever if you ask me. The Colts will host many of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class, as well as the top decision-makers of all 32 teams. The drills performed on the field being the highlight for fans, but getting detailed medicals and in-person interviews with for top prospects is invaluable for the evaluation process. And many fans look forward to getting to hear from head coaches and general managers at the event. 


Franchise Tag Deadline

Date: March 4

The Colts used the franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. last offseason before reaching an agreement on a new three-year deal. This year, the Colts don't have an in-house free agent who warrants the tag. So, this deadline will be more important to see which top free agents will be taken off the market and now have to be pursued via trade. 


Dates: March 10-11

The unofficial start to free agency begins on March 10, with the NFL's two days of legal tampering kicking off. Teams can begin speaking and negotiating with free agents, but no deal can be officially signed until the free agency actually starts even though we will see most of the top free agents strike deals during this two-day period.  


New NFL league year and Free Agency 

Date: March 12

Free agency begins on March 12, allowing any player to verbally agree to a contract in the legal tampering period to put pen to paper and make their new deals official. The Colts haven't been incredibly active in free agency in years past, but many expect a significant philosophy change after missing the playoffs again in 2024. So maybe Chris Ballard will shock fans and bring in some notable names in free agency to improve their roster. 


2025 NFL Draft

Dates: April 24-26

The highlight of the offseason for a lot of fans is the NFL Draft. Round one of the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off on April 24, rounds two and three begin on April 25 and will conclude on April 26 with rounds four through seven. The Colts own the 14th pick, and fans have already begun banging the table for multiple different prospects to be the team's selection. 

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5th-year option deadline for 2022 1st-round draft picks

Date: May 1

The Colts didn't make a first-round selection in 2022 due to the team trading the pick for quarterback Carson Wentz (sorry for the reminder). So they don't have a decision to make themselves here, but this is still an important date to know. It can spark trade negotiations if teams elect not to pick up the fifth-year option. And there are some intriguing players that the Colts should keep their eye on.