When does 2018 NFL free agency start?

While deals are already filling the rumor mill in the league, the NFL free agency period doesn’t officially start until the Super Bowl excitement is long gone.

Some may not realize this, especially in a day and age where teams agree to deals verbally long before they’re official and fans find out about them on social media, but the 2018 NFL free agency period won’t be underway for a little while longer.

Fans have already seen plenty of rumors about Kirk Cousins and his situation with the Washington Redskins. They’ve heard all of the news about Le’Veon Bell’s contract negotiations not making any progress. However, nothing will be too important until the actual free agency period gets rolling in March.

The official start date and time for the NFL free agency period is March 14 at 4 p.m. EST, where deals can officially be signed and players can breathe their signs of release. March 12 is the date for teams to get in contact with players set to become unrestricted free agents at that 4 p.m. deadline on March 14, with a ton of action happening that week.

This free agency class is loaded, with the biggest name surely being Bell in the backfield. However, you have names like Cousins and Drew Brees that could be interesting names to follow for teams needing a big name to lead their huddle.

Next: Top five best and worst draft picks by number drafted

Jarvis Landry is another huge offensive name that could get a big pay day, as he leaves the Miami Dolphins to potentially make bank elsewhere as a top receiver. Add in some other big AFC East names like Dion Lewis, Malcolm Butler and Nate Solder from the New England Patriots, and there could be a huge shake-up in that division heading into 2018.

No matter what, just like every year, NFL’s free agency period will cause some serious drama and excitement, and you won’t want to miss any of the action when March rolls around.