Important NFL Offseason Dates in 2015

The NFL offseason.  It's often a disappointing time of year as there is no football to actually watch, but at the same time it's a period filled with a lot of hope.  Every team's record is even and every team is making moves that they hope will lead to success on the field in 2015.

Because there are a lot of dates to remember in the offseason, we've compiled some of the most important ones in a post here.  Some of them might apply to the Colts and others might not, but regardless, this is a calendar of some of the most important dates this offseason in the NFL.

February 16 - first day that teams can designate franchise and transition tags

February 17-23 - NFL Scouting Combine (in Indianapolis)

March 2 - deadline for teams to designate franchise and transition tags

March 7-10 - legal tampering period when teams can contact agents of soon to be free agents

March 10 - at 4:00 p.m. ET the new league year starts, meaning that 2014 contracts expire and free agency begins, as well as the trading period.

March 22-25 - annual league meeting (in Phoenix, Arizona)

April 6- teams with new coaches can begin offseason workout programs

April 20 - teams with returning coaches can begin offseason workout programs

April 24 - deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets

April 29 - deadline for teams to exercise right of first refusal for restricted free agents

April 30 - May 2 - NFL Draft (in Chicago, Illinois)

May 8-11 or May 15-18 - teams can hold their three-day post-draft rookie minicamp anytime this weekend (Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday)

May 18-20 - NFL spring league meeting (San Francisco, California)

June 21-27 - NFL Rookie Symposium (Aurora, Ohio)

July 15 - deadline for player designated with franchise tag to sign multi-year deal with team

Mid-July - training camp begins