Key dates on the NFL's 2025-2026 league calendar that will impact the Ravens
The NFL's official calendar for the next year has been released, and the league unveiled about two dozen key dates starting in July and extending until next summer. Baltimore now knows when they'll need to trim the roster down to 53 players, and a hint at the looming trade deadline.
With the next year's schedule now completed, here are the key dates to watch.
July 15 -- Franchise tag
The Ravens don't have any players on the tag. Still, for players like Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith, July 15 is the deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such a player to a multiyear contract or extension. The Chiefs placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on Smith on Feb. 28. The Pro Bowl offensive lineman will earn $23.4 million on the tag unless a new deal is agreed to before the July 15 deadline. Smith, 26, has started 77 games, including postseason, since being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2025 season, and no long-term extension can happen until after the final regular season game.
Mid July
The Ravens' rookies and select veterans will report to the Under Armour Performance Center for training camp.
July 31 -Hall of Fame Game, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Detroit Lions, Canton, Ohio.
Jim Harbaugh's revamped Chargers will face Dan Campbell's new-look Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio.
Aug 26: Rosters must be cut down to 53 players
After several seasons with multiple cutdown days, the NFL returned to one deadline for teams to trim their rosters.
The deadline was adjusted before the 2020 COVID-19-impacted seasons:
Roster reduction from 90 to 85
Roster reduction from 85 to 80
Final roster reduction from 80 to 53
Teams can release players at their discretion, but not having three different cutdown dates no longer puts pressure on them during the summer.
Aug 31- Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs
For the Ravens and every other NFL team, September 1 is a holiday, and the official start of the 2025 regular season.
September 1-6 -- Injury reports
The first week of September means teams around the league will start officially releasing injury reports.
November 4- NFL Trade Deadline
The week after Halloween will be exciting this year as teams anticipate an early trade deadline.
January 5 - Fifth-year options for players selected in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft
This is the first day that Eric DeCosta can offer Zay Flowers long-term extensions.
Jan 10-12 Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon
Jan 17-18 Divisional Playoffs presented by Intuit TurboTax
Jan 25, AFC and NFC Championship Games presented by Intuit TurboTax.
February 8 Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
February 17 Franchise tag
Depending on the season, they have Odafe Oweh, Travis Jones, or others, who could be a candidate for the franchise tag.
March 9-11 Free Agency "legal tampering" opens
Baltimore will have over 30 players set to hit the open market.
April 23-25 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Ashton Jeanty has an injury scare after hard hit, but returns to game and scores TD
Ashton Jeanty had little production in a brief outing in his first NFL preseason game. Jeanty looked better in his second game, but also had a welcome to the NFL moment. Jeanty, who had 13 yards rushing on a pair of carries early in the Las Vegas Raiders' game Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, caught a pass on his first drive, lowered his shoulder and got hit hard. Linebacker Luke Gifford gave Jeanty a hard hit, and although Jeanty got up quickly, he came out of the game and went to the medical tent to presumably have his shoulder lookd at. For those who have fantasy drafts coming up in the next couple weeks, seeing Jeanty suffer an injury was some alarming news. The good news was that Jeanty came out of the medical tent with his helmet and uniform on, and was back on the field on the next drive. And on his next drive he ran over a defender on a nice run. Jeanty looked fast and explosive. He also ran hard and initiated contact. He showed off his power on a touchdown run, keeping his legs moving at the goal line until he was in the end zone. That will be the first touchdown of many for him in a Raiders uniform. Jeanty was the sixth pick of the draft and one of the best running back prospects in many years. Seeing him go to the medical tent caused some skipped heartbeats, but he looked healthy. And for a few carries, looked every bit as good as advertised.
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers lead Dolphins to 24-17 preseason win over Lions
DETROIT (AP) — Backup quarterback Zach Wilson had a strong first half for the Dolphins and third-stringer Quinn Ewers threw for two second-half touchdowns as Miami beat the Detroit Lions 24-17 in the preseason on Saturday. The teams had a pair of joint practices earlier in the week. Both teams' starters participated in those workouts, but Saturday's game was all about the reserves who are trying to earn roster spots. Wilson, the Dolphins' No. 2 QB behind Tua Tagovailoa, completed 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Ewers went 11 of 17 for 116 yards. The Lions also took a long look at their second- and third-string quarterbacks with Jared Goff on the sideline. Kyle Allen impressed in the first half, going 14 for 17 with 124 yards and two scores. Hendon Hooker struggled in the final two quarters, completing 6 of 13 throws for 61 yards and an interception. Ollie Gordon II had 50 yards rushing for the Lions on 10 carries. Jacob Saylor had 13 carries for 39 yards. The Dolphins took a 7-0 lead on Wilson's 11-yard pass to Dee Eskridge late in the first quarter. Detroit tied the game midway through the second on Allen's 11-yard pass to Jackson Meeks. Miami drove to the Detroit 9 in the final two minutes of the first half, but Isaac Ukwu sacked Wilson on fourth-and-4. Isaac TeSlaa caught an 18-yard pass from Allen with 30 seconds left to give the Lions a 14-7 halftime lead. Ewers threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Theo Wease Jr. on his first drive to tie the game, but a fumbled punt led to a 33-yard field goal by Jake Bates and a 17-14 Lions lead. Ewers hit Wease for an 8-yard score to make it 21-17 with 12:22 to play, and Jason Sanders kicked a 21-yard field goal to make it a seven-point game with 1:53 left. The Lions drove to the Miami 13 in the last 30 seconds, but Ethan Robinson intercepted Hooker's pass with 22 seconds left. Up next Dolphins: Finish the preseason next Saturday, when they host Indianapolis. Lions: Host Houston next Saturday in their preseason finale. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Watch: Lions highlights from the preseason matchup with Miami
The Detroit Lions opened up the home preseason docket with a visit from the Miami Dolphins. The Lions didn't play starters in the game, but it was still an important matchup for a lot of players fighting for roster spots or higher places on the Detroit depth chart. The Dolphins prevailed in Ford Field, 24-17, when No. 3 QB Hendon Hooker threw an interception in the red zone with the Lions threatening to score with under a minute to play. In between the barrage of penalties committed by both teams, a few Lions plays proved highlight-worthy. The Lions got on the board with a touchdown pass from Kyle Allen to Jackson Meeks, going for it on 4th down in the Miami red zone. Check out the pass protection pick-up from No. 13, RB Craig Reynolds: Isaac Ukwu preserved the score with a fantastic sack on Dolphins QB Zach Wilson on fourth down deep in Detroit territory. Miami risked it, and Ukwu made sure they got no biscuit... The Lions seized the lead with a strike from Allen to rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa. This is a very similar catch to the touchdown TeSlaa snagged a week earlier in Atlanta: Rookie wideout Dominic Lovett cracks the highlight reel on special teams. Nice heads-up play by Lovett to recover the muffed punt (which cannot be advanced by rule): That led to a Jake Bates field goal to put the Lions up 17-14 in the third quarter. Earlier in the game, second-year RB Sione Vaki also made a great special teams play. Vaki extricated the ball from Dolphins punt returner Dee Eskridge. Miami recovered, but this is a great example of the special teams excellence Vaki brings to Detroit: This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions highlights from preseason matchup with Miami Dolphins
