Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL Free Agency Schedule: New League Year Starts Today
The Steelers already re-signed Foster, but will they nab anyone out in the open market?
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Steeler fans, at 4:00pm EST the new league year begins. That means that the free agency market is officially open for business today, which is a big day for most teams around the league. Ink can be laid to paper, and the news will be fast and furious for probably the next 48-72 hours. As we’ve been saying the last week at NPC, the Steelers typically don’t make big splashes in the open market and instead op for re-signing their own players. That has already taken place with the re-signing of offensive guard Ramon Foster.
Here’s the complete schedule of free agency for the next month according to NFL Communications:
"For Restricted Free Agents, from March 12 to April 19. For Unrestricted Free Agents who have received the June 1 tender from their prior club, from March 12 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). For Franchise Players, from March 12 until the Tuesday following the 10th week of the regular season, November 12. If a Franchise Player does not sign by November 12, he must sit out the season. There are no Transition Player designations this year."
Ok so to put that in simpler terms….
- March 12, 4:00 p.m. ET: New league year begins, free agency opens
- April 19: Restricted free agents signing period ends
- March 12 through June 1 [prior club tender], July 22: First training camp to sign UFAs
- March 12 through November 12: Window to sign franchise players
Be sure to keep checking back with NPC for the latest news that affects the Steelers, the AFC North, or any other big moves that happen across the league. Check out the FanSided iOS app and subscribe to NPC so you can take us wherever you go.
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