JULY
July 26-27 A Club may require a player to report for a mandatory physical examination in order for the player to qualify for any bonus in a preexisting contract if the "measuring date" for such a bonus has been changed pursuant to CBA Article 11 (Transition Rules for the 2011 League Year).
July 28 At 4:01 p.m., New York time, waivers begin for the 2011 League Year
July 29 At 6:00 p.m., New York time, Clubs may SIGN, or extend Offer Sheets to, all eligible players, in addition to Drafted and Undrafted Rookies. Clubs may have such players report to the Club's facilities for physical examinations prior to signing. Eligible players may visit or try out at any Club facility.
AUGUST
August 4 First day of 2011 League Year at 4:01 p.m., New York time, assuming NFLPA has ratified the CBA
Top 51 begins at 4:01 p.m., New York time
All Clubs must be within the Salary Cap at 4:01 p.m., New York time.
All 2011 contracts signed on or after July 26 become effective at 4:01 p.m., New York time, assuming NFLPA has ratified the CBA
August 9 Deadline for players under contract to report to their Clubs to earn an Accrued Season for free agency
August 11-15 First Preseason Weekend
August 12 Deadline: if a Drafted Rookie has not signed a Player Contract by August 12, he cannot be traded during his initial League Year and may sign a Player Contract only with the drafting Club until the day of the Draft in the next League Year
August 13-17 Each Club has until five days prior to its second pre-season game to provide any tendered but unsigned Exclusive Rights Player or Restricted Free Agent with written notice of the Club's intent to place the player on the Exempt List if the player fails to report at least the day before the Club's second preseason game.
August 18-22 Second Preseason Weekend
August 20 Deadline for signing of Offer Sheets by Restricted Free Agents
Deadline for June 1 Tender to Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a Player Contract with a Club by September 3, he may negotiate or sign a Player Contract from September 3 until the Tuesday following the tenth week of the regular season, at 4:00 p.m. New York time, only with his Prior Club
August 24 Deadline for Old Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents
August 25 Deadline for June 1 Tender to Restricted Free Agents who have received a Qualifying Offer for a Right of First Refusal Only. The Prior Club shall be the only Club with which the player may negotiate or sign a Player Contract during the period from August 25 until the Tuesday following the tenth week of the regular season.
August 25-28 Third Preseason Weekend.
August 30 Possible roster reduction from 90 players to 75 players
SEPTEMBER
September 1-2 Fourth Preseason Weekend.
September 3 Signing Period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents who received the June 1 Tender.
Roster reduction to 53 players
September 5 Deadline for June 15 Tender to Restricted Free Agents. If player's Qualifying Offer is greater than 110% of the player's prior year's Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior year contract carried forward unchanged), the Club may withdraw the Qualifying Offer on September 5 and retain its exclusive negotiating rights to the player, so long as the Club immediately tenders the player a one-year Player Contract of at least 110% of his prior year's Paragraph 5 Salary, with all the terms of his prior year's contract carried forward unchanged.
September 8-12 First Regular Season weekend.
September 18-19 Second Regular Season weekend
September 20 Deadline at 4:00 p.m., New York time, for any Club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multi-year contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his Prior Club for the 2011 season, and such contract may not be extended until after the Club's last regular season game.
