Key NFL offseason dates for San Francisco 49ers and why they matter
· Yahoo Sports
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Despite games being wrapped up until September, there are a slew of important dates coming on the NFL calendar beginning in February. We've run down which dates to mark on the calendar, but there are some dates more important to the 49ers than others.
We went through the NFL's list of important dates and provided an explanation for why some specific ones are important for San Francisco. The "what happens" portion includes wording pulled directly from NFL operations.
Here are those dates:
February 17
What happens: "Beginning this date through (1:00 p.m. PT) on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players."
Why it matters for the 49ers: San Francisco appeared to have figured out its kicker situation last season when they released Jake Moody and added Eddy Pineiro on a one-year deal. Pineiro converted 28-of-29 field goal tries. His only miss came when he bounced a 64-yard try off the crossbar. He's the team's only real candidate for a franchise tag. The tag for special teams players in 2026 is projected by Over the Cap to be $6,900,000.
March 3
What happens: "Prior to (1:00 p.m. PT), deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players."
Why it matters for the 49ers: If the 49ers are going to franchise tag Pineiro, they'll have to do so before this deadline. Chances are they'll aim to hammer out a long-term extension which could push their decision to tag up to the deadline.
It's worth noting the NFL combine starts Feb. 23 and ends Mar. 2, but it's hard to call it important for the 49ers since head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't even attended the event for the last few years.
March 9
What happens: "During the period beginning at (9:00 a.m. PT), on March 9 and ending at (12:59:59 p.m. PT), on March 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 2025 player contracts at (1:00 p.m. PT), on March 12."
Why it matters for the 49ers: This is the opening of the NFL's legal negotiating window for pending free agents. San Francisco will have the ability to negotiate with its own players leading up to this point. While there could be a handful of players leaving in free agency, this will be a bigger deal for the 49ers because they may take a big swing or two in free agency to try and keep up with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. It wouldn't be a surprise if the 49ers become active players early in the legal negotiating window.
March 11
What happens: "The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begin at (1:00 p.m. PT)."
Why it matters for the 49ers: Contracts agreed to during the legal negotiating window can become official at this point. The new league year also marks the opening of the trading period. That's a big deal for a couple of reasons. Quarterback Mac Jones could be on the move for a decent haul of draft capital. The 49ers could also be active in the trade market looking to make upgrades with proven NFL talent in places they couldn't find them in free agency.
April 17
What happens: "Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets."
Why it matters for the 49ers: San Francisco has six players due for restricted free agency. We've only been able to project what the 49ers may do with those players since no RFA tenders have been handed out yet. This will be the final day for those tendered RFAs to look for other contract offers around the league. Defensive lineman Kalia Davis and tight end Jake Tonges appear to be the top candidates to receive RFA tenders. Those who are non-tendered will become unrestricted free agents.
April 20
What happens: "Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs."
Why it matters for the 49ers: The offseason program will be a big one for the 49ers this year. They could have some new pieces to begin integrating. They will also have players like linebacker Fred Warner returning from injury, and tight end George Kittle working to return from a major injury. Training camp is where the real action takes place, but the start of the offseason program will set a tone for a 49ers club that is at a tipping point between contending and a full rebuild.
April 22, Part 1
What happens: "Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets."
Why it matters for the 49ers: If one of the 49ers' tendered RFAs does sign an offer sheet, this is the point they'll have to make a decision on whether to match the offer sheet or to let that player join the club that signed them to an offer sheet.
April 22, Part 2
What happens: "Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location."
Why it matters for the 49ers: The combine may not be a big deal for the 49ers, but pre-draft workouts certainly will be. With the No. 27 overall pick in the first round, San Francisco will need to be thorough in the number of players it brings in for workouts since the list of potentially available players at that draft position will be vast. If they're not going to go squeeze every ounce of information out of the combine, they'll need to do so in the space between the combine and this April 22 deadline to ensure they're finding an impact player late in Round 1 of the draft. It's worth noting this deadline is for meetings and workouts at any location. The deadline for meetings and workouts at the team facility is one week prior on April 15.
April 23
What happens: "NFL Draft, Pittsburgh, Pa."
Why it matters for the 49ers: The three-day festivities begin! This year will be another big draft for the 49ers. They've landed a handful of contributing players in the last couple of drafts. They need to start finding more star power. Their road to an eventual return to Super Bowl contention gets steeper every year they go through the draft without finding an All-Pro on either side of the ball. The last year they picked an All-Pro in the draft was 2021 when they selected safety Talanoa Hufanga in the fifth round. He joined the Denver Broncos last offseason.
July 15
What happens: "At (1:00 p.m. PT), deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2026 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.
Why it matters for the 49ers: If the 49ers do tag Pineiro (or a different free agent for whatever reason) this is their last opportunity to workout a multiyear extension the way they did with kicker Robbie Gould when they tagged him before the 2019 season. Gould wound up signing an extension on July 15.
More 49ers: What should 49ers do with free-agent WR who missed all of 2025?
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Key NFL offseason dates for San Francisco 49ers