clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Pride of Detroit Direct is now three times per week! In addition to the game previews and recaps, we have a new analysis piece by a guest expert each week. Sign up now!

Filed under:

2012 NFL Offseason Schedule: Key Dates To Mark On Your Calendar

By Sean Yuille
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Running back Owen Marecic of Stanford runs the 40-yard dash during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Running back Owen Marecic of Stanford runs the 40-yard dash during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Getty Images

After the Super Bowl comes to a close and the entire NFL shifts into offseason mode, there will likely be a comprehensive schedule released for everything that is set to take place from February to September. In the meantime, I have compiled a list of dates that are worth marking on your calendar for the 2012 offseason, and you can check it out after the jump.

Jan. 21 - East-West Shrine Game (4 p.m., NFL Network)

Jan. 28 - Senior Bowl (4 p.m., NFL Network)

Jan. 29 - 2012 NFL Pro Bowl (7 p.m., NBC)

Feb. 5 - Super Bowl XLVI (6:25 p.m., NBC)

Feb. 20 - Teams can begin applying franchise and transition tags to players

Feb. 22-28 - NFL Combine (live coverage on NFL Network and NFL.com)

March 5 - Deadline for teams to apply franchise and transition tags

March 13 - Free agency begins at 4 p.m.

March 25-28 - NFL owners meetings (in Palm Beach, FL)

March 30-31 - Super Regional Combine (at Ford Field)

Mid-April - Lions' offseason program begins (they can hold a maximum of 10 OTAs during the offseason)

Late April - 2012 NFL schedule is announced

April 26 - First round of 2012 NFL Draft (Lions will pick 23rd)

April 27 - Second and third rounds of 2012 NFL Draft

April 28 - Rounds 4-7 of 2012 NFL Draft

Late July - Training camps across the league begin

Early August - 2012 preseason begins

Sept. 6 - 2012 NFL regular season begins at stadium of Super Bowl champion

(All times Eastern)

For more from Pride of Detroit, make sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

More From Pride Of Detroit

NEW: Join Pride of Detroit Direct

Jeremy Reisman will drop into your inbox twice a week to provide exclusive, in-depth reporting and insights from Ford Field. Subscribe to go deeper into Lions fandom, and join us on our path to win the Super Bowl.