NFL teams officially opened their doors for voluntary off-season workout programs on Monday, April 6, marking the commencement of the 2026 preparation cycle. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the return of players to team facilities signifies the start of the league's spring media cycle as franchises begin their march toward the new season.
The start of these programs, per @RapSheet, traditionally features the "slow mo entrance" trend where team social media departments document players arriving for their first day of work. This marks the beginning of Phase One of the NFL off-season schedule. During this initial two-week stretch, activities are strictly limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Phase One allows for strength and conditioning coaches to supervise on-field workouts, but football coaches are restricted to meeting room sessions and classroom instruction. While these workouts are voluntary for players, they represent a critical period for roster integration and physical conditioning ahead of organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamps scheduled for later this spring.
The return of players to team headquarters across the country signifies the end of the post-Super Bowl quiet period and the official ramp-up toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams with returning head coaches are eligible to begin their programs today, while teams with new head coaches were permitted to start their programs in late March.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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