The road to Super Bowl LXI officially begins this spring as the league has finalized the schedule for the NFL offseason workout programs for 2026. While the high-octane action of the regular season is months away, these spring sessions represent the first critical steps for franchises integrating new draft picks and high-profile free-agent acquisitions. From the defending champions to teams under new leadership, every organization now has its roadmap for the months of April, May, and June.
The Structure of the 2026 NFL Offseason Workout Programs
As mandated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NFL offseason workout programs are divided into three distinct phases. Each phase gradually ramps up the intensity of football activities while strictly adhering to contact rules.
- Phase 1 (2 Weeks): Limited to strength and conditioning, physical rehabilitation, and meetings. No on-field coaching is permitted.
- Phase 2 (3 Weeks): On-field workouts may include individual and group drills. No live contact or team-on-team drills are allowed.
- Phase 3 (4 Weeks): Includes the highly anticipated Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Teams can conduct 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills, though live contact remains prohibited.
2026 AFC Offseason Dates: OTAs and Mandatory Minicamps
The AFC remains a gauntlet of talent, and teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are using these dates to fine-tune their rosters. Below are the key dates for AFC franchises:
- Baltimore Ravens: First Day: April 6; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-2, 4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
- Buffalo Bills: First Day: April 7; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
- Cincinnati Bengals: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-28, June 1-2, 4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
- Cleveland Browns: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-28, June 1-3, 8-10; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Denver Broncos: First Day: April 6; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
- Houston Texans: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Indianapolis Colts: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-28, June 1-2, 4, 8-10; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Kansas City Chiefs: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-28, June 1-3, 8-10; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Las Vegas Raiders: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-28, June 1-3, 8-10; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Los Angeles Chargers: First Day: April 6; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
- Miami Dolphins: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- New England Patriots: First Day: April 6; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
- New York Jets: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-28, June 1-3, 8-10; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Tennessee Titans: First Day: April 6; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
2026 NFC Offseason Dates: OTAs and Mandatory Minicamps
In the NFC, new coaching regimes in places like Atlanta and Seattle are getting an early start. Here are the scheduled dates for the NFL offseason workout programs across the conference:
- Arizona Cardinals: First Day: April 7; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 8-10.
- Atlanta Falcons: First Day: April 7; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-27, 29, June 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Carolina Panthers: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Chicago Bears: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Dallas Cowboys: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Detroit Lions: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Green Bay Packers: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Los Angeles Rams: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 15-16.
- Minnesota Vikings: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- New Orleans Saints: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-28, June 2-4, 8-11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- New York Giants: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Philadelphia Eagles: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26, 28-29, June 1, 3-4, 8-11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- San Francisco 49ers: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Seattle Seahawks: First Day: April 6; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: First Day: April 20; OTAs: May 26-27, 29, June 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11; Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18.
- Washington Commanders: First Day: April 6; OTAs: May 18-19, 21, 26-28, June 1-4; Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 Spring Schedule
While Phase 1 and Phase 2 are largely voluntary, the mandatory minicamp sessions in mid-June are the only time before training camp that teams can require full attendance. This period is often when contract disputes come to a head or when coaching staffs get their first real look at how a rookie quarterback handles the full playbook against a veteran defense.
For fans, these dates mark the beginning of the "optimism season." Following the 2026 NFL Draft in late April, teams will also host Rookie Minicamps (typically the first or second weekend after the draft), which will then funnel those young players into the OTA schedule listed above. By the time the final mandatory minicamp concludes on June 18, the foundation for the 2026 season will be firmly in place.
Sources & Original Reporting