After an exciting draft weekend, the 2021 NFL season is steadily approaching.
While the upcoming months may be without actual games, there are still plenty of critical dates on the calendar as teams prepare for the fall.
The NFL will release the full 17-game schedule for the New England Patriots on May 12.
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Here is what the rest of the offseason will look like as teams prepare to begin rookie minicamps and organized team activities this month.
When are rookie minicamps for new Patriots players?
Mac Jones, Christian Barmore and the rest of the Patriots' 2021 draft class will report for minicamp on May 14. With the number of players that opted out of the 2020 college season, this year's offseason will be important for some rookies who will be part of a team for the first time since 2019.
When are organized team activities and mandatory veteran minicamps?
New England Patriots
The Patriots will hold Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory veteran minicamps, the first time the 90-man roster will practice together, sometime between May 24 and June 18. The organized team activities are optional, and many Patriots players chose not to attend the first phase due to the ongoing pandemic.
When is the deadline for franchise tag players to sign a long-term extension?
The Patriots did not use the franchise tag on any player in 2021. For teams that did, July 15 at 4 p.m. ET is the deadline to reach a long-term contract agreement, or else the player will become a free agent in 2022.
When does training camp begin?
Veteran players can report no earlier than 15 days prior to the team's first preseason game. Rookies can report up to a week earlier than veterans.
When does the NFL preseason start?
The 2021 NFL Hall of Fame game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off on Thursday, August 5. The Hall of Fame classes of 2020 and 2021 will be honored during enshrinement weekend after last year's event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When does the NFL regular season begin?
Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open up the 2021 NFL season on Thursday, September 9.
Next season may seem far away for now, but these dates will start popping up before you know it.