Important dates on the 49ers’ 2018 offseason calendar
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise takes a brief look at the San Francisco 49ers calendar for the 2018 NFL offseason and breaks down all the important dates you’ll need to know.
2018 arguably marks the first period of real offseason excitement for San Francisco 49ers fans, as the team finished with a five-game win streak and appears to have its franchise quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, poised to take the team to new heights this year.
While we’ll be withouut Niners games until late summer, there are plenty of dates to look forward to this offseason.
So, to help you plan your red and gold calendars, Niner Noise breaks down the dates you’ll want to know between now and August when the preseason kicks off.
San Francisco 49ers
January 20 — East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
The East-West Shrine Game presents an opportunity for some top collegiate talent to showcase skills in advance of the NFL Draft. 247Sports.com’s Kirk Larrabee compiled a list of prospects the 49ers have interviewed in practices leading up to Saturday’s contest.
January 27 — Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, AL
The Senior Bowl features plenty of talent on display in an All-Star-like setting ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine.
January 28 — NFL Pro Bowl, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Will you watch this game? Probably not, but the 49ers have one representative, fullback Kyle Juszczyk. The Niners also have four alternates — running back Carlos Hyde, tackles Joe Staley and Trent Brown and kicker Robbie Gould.
February 4 — Super Bowl LII, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
The winners of both the NFC and AFC square off for the Lombardi Trophy.
February 20 — First Day to Apply Franchise or Transition Tags
Teams may designate a franchise or transition tag on players. This is notable for the 49ers, who may apply the franchise tag on Garoppolo if both sides are unable to reach a long-term deal.
February 27 through March 5 — NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, IN
NFL Draft-eligible prospects are invited to compete in a series of workouts and drills to showcase their physical abilities. Additionally, teams may conduct a series of interviews with players to gauge maturity, off-field issues and other areas of interest.
March 6 — Deadline to Apply Franchise or Transition Tags
Teams will have until 4 p.m. ET to apply either franchise or transition tags if needed.
March 14 — Official Start of the 2018 NFL Season
This date kicks off the league’s “new year.” Teams can begin negotiations with pending free agents on Mar. 12, as their contracts expire, but deals can’t be announced until 4 p.m. ET. It’s why so many new deals are made official right at that moment.
Teams must also have qualifying offers, options and tenders in by said time. Trades may also take place after 4 p.m. ET.
Additionally, each NFL squad’s top 51 contracts must be under the projected $178 million salary cap, per Over the Cap.
April 16 — Teams with Returning Head Coaches May Begin Offseason Workouts
It’s actually nice, for a change, to see the 49ers fall into this category. With head coach Kyle Shanahan returning, the Niners won’t have to get a jump start on their offseason practices amid a new system.
April 26 through 28 — 2018 NFL Draft, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
The 49ers will either hold the No. 9 or No. 10 spot in Round 1, depending on the outcome of a coin flip with the Oakland Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine. General manager John Lynch is currently armed with nine selections over the three-day draft period.
Related Story: Mocking out all 7 rounds for 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft
Following the conclusion of the draft, teams may enter negotiations with undrafted free agents. This will largely round out team offseason rosters to 90 players.
May 4 through 7, or 11 through 14 — Rookie Minicamp
Teams get to host one three-day rookie minicamp, per the current CBA agreement between the NFL Players Association and the league itself.
June 2 — Signing Bonuses Count on Salary Cap
All players still on team rosters by this date will have their unamortized signing bonuses fully count towards the salary cap. This includes players cut, released or waived on, or after, this date.
July 16 — Franchise Tag Contract Renegotiation Deadline
At 4 p.m. ET, any franchise-tagged player not having received and accepted a long-term contract or extension may only sign a one-year, fully guaranteed contract with his team.
In the case with Garoppolo and the 49ers, it’s possible he’s tagged with the intention of working out a multiyear deal between the Feb. 20 start period and this deadline. If it doesn’t happen before July 16, Garoppolo will likely play on this one-year contract.
August 9 through 12 — Week 1 of the 2018 Preseason Begins
The official preseason schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but it typically falls a full week after the Hall of Fame game, which takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 2 in Canton, Ohio.
September 1 — Final Roster Cuts, 53-Man Rosters Announced
Teams have until 4 p.m. ET to trim their rosters down to 53 players. Waiver claims expire at noon ET the following day.
September 6 — 2018 NFL Regular Season Begins
The official 2018 NFL schedule has yet to be announced, but the 2018 regular season will open up on Thursday, Sept. 6 with a prime-time showdown on Thursday Night Football.
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There are some other dates, which the 49ers haven’t announced, to make note of. Mandatory minicamps likely kick off in June, with training camp opening up in July. Rookies are to show up seven days prior to veterans attending.
So, 49ers fans, you certainly can’t take the offseason off, as there are plenty of dates to note between now and Week 1 of the regular season.
Next: 5 offseason roster moves the 49ers should make in 2018
And, as always, stick to Niner Noise for all your offseason content and analysis leading up to the 2018 kickoff!