Upcoming Calendar for NFL, New England Patriots

The post-Super Bowl period of the NFL calendar has already had some major events. There was the NFL Scouting Combine, the beginning of the new league year, free agency, and the Annual League Meeting. Plenty happens before the 2024 NFL regular season games are played in September. A look at the NFL calendar for the months ahead.

April 1: Offseason Workout Programs Begins

The New England Patriots and all other NFL teams with a new head coach can begin their offseason workout programs on April 1. New England has announced they will be beginning on April 8. Teams with returning head coaches need to wait until April 15. (note to strength and conditioning staff: this feels like an excellent opportunity to pull off a good April Fools’ prank)

April 19: Restricted Free Agent Deadline

This is the last day that a restricted free agent (RFA) can sign an offer sheet with another franchise. Original franchises can match any offer sheet up until April 24.

April 23 – April 24: Voluntary Minicamp

Players are not required to attend and cannot be fined for not doing so. With a new coaching staff in place, the Patriots may opt to focus on scheme, terminology, or just fundamentals.

April 25 – April 27: 2024 NFL Draft

The three-day event will feature Round 1 on Thursday, Rounds 2-3 on Friday, and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday. Excitement surrounds the New England Patriots selection. They own the No. 3 overall pick. If not traded, it would be New England’s highest draft pick since they took Washington State QB Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 pick in the 1993 NFL Draft.

May 3 – May 6 or May 10 – May 13: Rookie Minicamp

Franchises select either four-day period to conduct their rookie minicamp after the NFL Draft. It is an opportunity for drafted and undrafted rookies to make a positive first impression on their new franchise. The New England Patriots held their minicamp on the later dates in previous seasons, but their plan for 2024 is not yet known.

May 8 (approximate) – 2024 NFL Schedule Release

The NFL releases the 2024 NFL schedule around this date, based on recent years. This will be updated as information becomes available.

May 20-21, May 23, May 29, June 3-4, and June 6-7: OTA Offseason Workouts

OTAs are Organized Team Activities. These are not mandatory, though it would seem to benefit all players to make a good impression on the new coaching staff and get a good start before training camp. Both rookies and veterans will be present. This amps up as time goes on in terms of onfield drills and participating at full speed.

June 11 – June 13: Mandatory Minicamp

The first mandatory reporting period for players. Players can be fined for missing. Those attending also get the benefit of attending the next item on the calendar.

June 12: Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame Ceremony

Tom Brady will receive his red jacket in a ceremony held at Gillette Stadium. It will be an opportunity for New England Patriots fans to once again show their appreciation for the man who helped bring six Super Bowl championships to Foxboro.

July 19 (approximate): Training Camps Open

Training camps begin for NFL rookies. There will be a mandatory reporting date set for veterans. Rookies can begin seven days before the veteran date. Quarterbacks and players returning from injury are allowed to report five days before other veterans’ mandatory report date. Date updated as information becomes available.

August 1: Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

The NFL preseason schedule gets underway with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The enshrinement ceremony for the Class of 2024 will take place on August 3.

September 5 – September 9: NFL Kickoff Weekend

Opening kickoff for the 2024 NFL season. Everyone gets to start over at 0-0-0.