The Atlanta Falcons have a number offseason priorities, among them singing quarterback Matt Ryan to a team-friendly long-term deal.
Here are 10 key dates to know about as the team heads into the 2018 offseason.
Feb. 27-March 5
The NFL Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff will be among the Falcons officials present evaluating potential draft picks and participating in press conferences.
March 14
The 2018 league year begins and the free agency period starts at 4 p.m. Teams can begin signing players to new contracts. The Falcons added defensive tackle Dontari Poe last season.
March 25-28
Owners, coaches and league officials gather for three days in Orlando do discuss rule changes and other matters. Quinn will likely address media.
April 16
The Falcons’ two-month offseason workout program begins, allowing players able to train at the team’s Flowery Branch facilities.
April 26-28
The NFL's traveling roadshow, known as the NFL Draft will be held at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Falcons hold the 26th pick in the first round.
May 4-7 or May 11-14
Teams can choose to hold a three-day post-draft rookie minicamp.
May 21-23
Arthur Blank welcomes fellow team owners to Atlanta for the spring league meetings, where final votes will take place on issues discussed during earlier meeting in Orlando.
July 15
Preseason training camp for rookies and first-year players begins seven days before Falcons veterans are required to report to Flowery Branch no later than July 15.
Sept. 1
The Falcons and other teams must trim rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List by 4 p.m.
Sept. 6, 9-10
The NFL’s regular season opens. The Falcons’ game schedule for 2018 will be released by the third week of April.
Atlanta will face opponents from the NFC East and AFC North in 2018 -- with no road trips to the West Coast during the regular season. Coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium this fall are the Arizona Cardinals; Dallas Cowboys; New York Giants; Baltimore Ravens; Cincinnati Bengals; Carolina Panthers; New Orleans Saints; and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons will travel to face Bucs; Panthers; Saints; Philadelphia Eagles; Cleveland Browns; Green Bay Packers; Washington Redskins; and Pittsburgh Steelers.
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