2010 NFL calendar

When are the important dates heading forward in 2010? From the scouting combine to free agency (and certain deadlines associated with it) to the draft to preseason to roster cutdowns, we’ve got all the important upcoming NFL dates.

Feb. 24-March 2 — NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Ind.

Feb. 25 — Deadline for clubs to designate franchise and transition players

March 4 — Expiration date of all player contracts due to expire in 2010

March 4 — Deadline for submission of qualifying offers by clubs to their restricted free agents whose contracts have expired and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal/compensation

March 4 — Deadline for clubs to submit offer of minimum salary to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with fewer than three seasons of free agency credit whose contracts have expired

March 5 — Veteran free agency signing period begins

March 5 — Trading period begins

March 21-24 — NFL Annual Meeting, Orlando, Fla.

Early April — NFL schedule released

April 15 — Deadline for signing of offer sheets by restricted free agents

April 21 — Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents

April 22-24 — NFL draft, New York City

Early May — Vikings rookie camp

May/June — Vikings official minicamp

May 24-26 — NFL spring meeting, Dallas, Texas

June 1 — Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 22

June 1 — Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights

June 15 — Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous year’s salary

June 27-30 — NFL Rookie Symposium, Carlsbad, Calif.

Mid-July — Training camps open

July 22 — Signing period ends at 3 p.m. Central for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender

Aug. 8 — Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio

Aug. 12-16 — First preseason weekend

Aug. 31 — Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players

Sept. 4 — Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players

Sept. 9-13 — Kickoff 2010 Weekend