Updates

NFL clubs hold voluntary offseason workout programs to train, teach and condition their players for the upcoming season.

Article 21 of the NFL-NFLPA CBA states that each club’s official, voluntary nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases:

1. Phase One: In the first two weeks of the program, activities are limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation.
2. Phase Two: Over the next three weeks of the program, on-field workouts may include individual player instruction and drills and team practices conducted on a “separates” basis. No live contact or offense vs. defense drills are permitted.
3. Phase Three: Over the next four weeks of the program, teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or OTAs. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

Article 22 of the CBA stipulates that clubs may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players during phase three of the offseason program.

New head coaches may conduct an additional voluntary veteran minicamp conducted before the NFL Draft (April 26-28), but no earlier than week three of the club’s offseason workouts and at least one week into phase one activities. This year, seven clubs will hold voluntary veteran minicamps.

Each club may hold a rookie football development program for seven weeks beginning on May 14. During this period, no activities may be held on weekends, except one rookie minicamp, which may be held on either the first or second weekend after the NFL Draft. The dates for post-draft rookie minicamps will be circulated later.

For specific information and detailed offseason program rules, please see Articles 21 and 22 of the CBA (beginning on page 131).