NFL 2026 offseason calendar: Important dates for Dolphins fans to know

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It's officially the offseason for the Miami Dolphins after finishing 7-10, seven wins behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East and four games out of wild card contention.

It'll be a busy one for the Dolphins, beginning with the team's hunt for a new general manager after parting with Chris Grier at the end of October. There will undoubtedly be big changes on the roster too.

Miami is poised to move on from Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback and will almost definitely cut ties with Tyreek Hill. The result will be a seismic shift for the franchise less than three years after that duo led the way for the NFL's No. 1 offense in 2023.

With plenty of business to conduct, here's every major date on the NFL's calendar over the next few months:

Jan. 5: Teams can negotiate new contracts with 2023 picks

Beginning Monday, 2023 draft picks and 2024 undrafted signees are officially eligible to sign extensions and new contracts.

Just one of the Dolphins' four draft picks from that year are still on the roster: star running back De'Von Achane. After a Pro Bowl season with 1,838 yards from scrimmage (second most in franchise history) and 12 touchdowns, Achane is well positioned to get a significant raise. Whether it comes in 2026 or not will be a story to watch this offseason.

Jan. 23-31: East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl

The first glimpse at the 2026 draft class will come in Frisco, Texas and Mobile, Ala. where practices for the two biggest collegiate all-star games will draw scouts, coaches, and executives.

Feb. 3: Pro Bowl Games

For now, De'Von Achane is the only Dolphins player set to participate in the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks and fullback Alec Ingold are both first alternates, while safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle are third alternates.

Feb. 23-March 2: 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft will be weighed, poked, prodded, interviewed, measured, and put through a litany of tests and drills in front of every NFL team in Indianapolis, Ind.

March 3: Deadline to name transition/franchise players

It'd be a surprise if the Dolphins used the franchise tag or transition tag this offseason. Notable free agents for the team include cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones, as well as tight end Darren Waller, but no one worth the expensive tags to keep them from leaving.

March 9-11: NFL free agency begins

On March 11, the new NFL league year will begin and free agency will officially start. But the real beginning is two days earlier when the legal tampering period allows teams to agree to contracts with players set to hit the market. By the time players are allowed to sign on the dotted line, much of the dust will have already settled.