The Giants have been working toward the 2017 regular season for about a month now, but the entire NFL is now doing the same with Super Bowl LI in the rearview mirror.
Who should be Giants’ free agency priority after JPP?
It’s technically the offseason now, but the NFL really has no offseason. There is always something going on, and the months of February, March and April are often just as busy, if not more, than the actual season.
Here’s a rundown of the key dates in the coming weeks and months Giants fans should keep an eye on:
February 15: The first day teams can designate franchise or transition players. Will the Giants put the tag on defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul? Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins?
Feb. 28-March 6: NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The Giants front office, scouting department and coaching staff will be in Indy to evaluate the 2017 NFL Draft prospects. Head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese should speak with reporters at the combine.
March 1: Teams must designate franchise/transition players by 4 p.m. Eastern.
March 7: The legal tampering period opens at 4 p.m. Eastern, allowing clubs to contact and enter contract negotiations with pending unrestricted free agents. No contracts can be executed until the start of the new league year.
March 9, 4 p.m. EST: The 2017 NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. Eastern. Prior to the start of the new league year, each team must:
* Present restricted free agents with qualifying offers if they wish to retain right of first refusal/compensation.
* Present a minimum salary tender to any exclusive rights free agents they wish to retain.
* Get under the 2017 NFL salary cap as the Top 51 accounting period begins.
March 9, 4:00:01 p.m. EST: Teams can sign unrestricted free agents. The 2017 trading period also opens.
Meet all the Giants’ free agents
March 9, 11:59:59 p.m.: The first day of the league year closes. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m.
March 11: Wide receiver Victor Cruz is due a $1 million roster bonus (via Spotrac).
March 13: Running back Shane Vereen is due a $500,000 roster bonus (via Spotrac).
March 26-29: Annual League Meeting in Phoenix. McAdoo will meet with reporters.
April 17: Giants can begin offseason workout program.
April 27-29: 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia.
May 5-15: Giants will hold rookie minicamp (specific dates TBA).
Mid-June: Giants will hold mandatory minicamp (specific dates TBA).
July 15: The deadline for teams to sign franchise players to multi-year deals.
July 22: The deadline for teams to sign transition players to multi-year deals.
James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
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