| Key dates |
| 2012 |
| Date | Event |
| May-June | Team OTAs, minicamps (2012 OTA, minicamp dates) |
| June 1 | Deadline for old clubs to tender unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for the rest of the season if the player is not signed by another club by July 22 |
| June 15 | Old clubs may withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by submitting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary |
| June 24-27 | NFL Rookie Symposium |
| July | Training Camps begin |
| July 22 | Deadline for unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents to sign with new clubs, provided they have been tendered a qualifying offer by their old club |
| July | Deadline for transition players to sign with new club |
| Aug. 4 | 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony |
| Aug. 5 | 2012 Hall of Fame Game / Start of 2012 preseason |
| Sept. 5 | 2012 regular season begins (Kickoff game: Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 8:30 p.m. ET) |
