NFL Offseason 2026 Kicks Off: Ravens Lead Early with April 6 Start, Full Workout Schedules Revealed Across All 32 Teams

As the 2026 NFL offseason heats up just days away from the draft, teams like the Baltimore Ravens are set to begin Phase 1 workouts on April 6. Discover every team's OTA, minicamp, and voluntary dates, plus key storylines for Super Bowl contenders preparing for Pittsburgh's draft extravaganza.

NFL teams gear up for the 2026 offseason with workout programs starting as early as April 6, headlined by the Baltimore Ravens' aggressive schedule ahead of the April 23-25 draft in Pittsburgh.

By James Whitfield, Sports Editor | 2026-04-04

The NFL has officially unveiled the offseason workout calendars for all 32 teams, marking the beginning of a crucial nine-week period designed to rebuild rosters, install new schemes, and position contenders for another grueling regular season. With the 2026 NFL Draft looming large in Pittsburgh from April 23-25, these voluntary sessions - split into three phases - offer coaches their first real chance to integrate free agents, rookies, and returning stars without the pads flying. No live contact is permitted until training camp, but the groundwork laid here often separates playoff locks from pretenders.

Phase 1 kicks off with meetings, strength and conditioning, and rehab work for injured players. It's all about mental reps and physical recovery. Phase 2 introduces on-field drills like 7-on-7 and perfect play walkthroughs, still no tackling. Phase 3 brings Organized Team Activities (OTAs), where 11-on-11 sessions ramp up the intensity, helping quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson sync with new weapons.

Baltimore Ravens Set the Pace

The Ravens, perennial AFC North bullies, waste no time. Their program launches April 6 with Phase 1, running two weeks of installs under John Harbaugh. A voluntary minicamp follows April 20-22, priming them perfectly for draft weekend. OTAs hit May 18-19, May 21, May 26-28, June 1-2, and June 4, wrapping with mandatory minicamp June 9-11. Lamar Jackson's dual-threat magic will be under the microscope; his contract includes workout bonuses that could sweeten his deal for perfect attendance. Baltimore's defense, already elite, eyes tweaks after last season's deep playoff push.

Expect eyes on rookie integrations and free agency holdovers. The Ravens' early start gives them a head start in chemistry building, crucial for a run at Super Bowl redemption. Fans in Baltimore are buzzing - this is the foundation for another January rampage.

National OTA and Minicamp Rundown

Across the league, schedules vary but follow the same blueprint. Ten teams with new coaches host voluntary minicamps before the draft, injecting fresh energy. Here's the breakdown for every squad, verified straight from NFL announcements.

Arizona Cardinals roll out April 21-23 voluntary minicamp, OTAs May 18-19, May 21, May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4, mandatory minicamp June 8-10. Atlanta Falcons start April 7, voluntary April 21-23, OTAs May 18-19, May 21, May 26-27, May 29, June 8-9, June 11, mandatory June 16-18. Buffalo Bills begin April 7, voluntary April 20-22, OTAs May 18-19, May 21, May 26-28, June 1-4, mandatory June 9-11.

Carolina Panthers delay to April 20 start, OTAs May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4. Chicago Bears follow suit April 20 kickoff, OTAs May 26, May 28-29, June 1, June 3-4, mandatory June 9-11. Cincinnati Bengals join the April 20 crowd, with OTAs May 20-22, May 27-29, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18. Cleveland Browns April 20, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, May 27-29, June 2, June 5, mandatory June 9-11.

Dallas Cowboys April 20 start, OTAs May 19-20, May 28-29, June 3-5, June 9-10, mandatory June 16-18. Denver Broncos April 20, OTAs May 19, May 21-22, May 27, May 29, June 2-3, June 5, mandatory June 9-11. Detroit Lions April 20, OTAs May 19-21, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18. Green Bay Packers hit April 20 Phase 1, aligning with many NFC North foes.

Houston Texans April 20, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, May 27-29, June 2-4, mandatory June 9-11. Indianapolis Colts April 20, OTAs May 20-22, May 27-29, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18. Jacksonville Jaguars April 20, OTAs May 19-21, May 27-28, June 2-3, June 5, mandatory June 9-11. Kansas City Chiefs, dynasty hunters, start April 20, OTAs May 20-22, May 27-29, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18.

Las Vegas Raiders April 20, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, June 2-3, June 5-6, mandatory June 9-11. Los Angeles Chargers April 20, OTAs May 19-21, May 27-29, June 2-4, mandatory June 9-11. Los Angeles Rams dive in April 20 for two weeks Phase 1, OTAs May 26-28, June 1-2, June 4, June 8-9, June 11, mandatory June 15-16. Matthew Stafford's veteran savvy will shine here as the Rams eye NFC contention.

Why These Dates Matter for Playoff Hopefuls

Offseason programs aren't just box-checking; they're where narratives form. For rebuilding teams like the Panthers, these sessions test new coordinators. Contenders like the Bills use them to refine Josh Allen's arm talent amid a loaded AFC. Injuries from last season linger - think rehab for key defenders - making Phase 1 gold. Participation is voluntary, but bonuses lure stars; absences spark contract rumors.

The draft's shadow looms. Pittsburgh hosts April 23-25, where GMs like Baltimore's Eric DeCosta hunt trenches. Pre-draft minicamps let new coaches (10 this cycle) audition vets. Rookie minicamps post-draft build depth. Every rep counts toward September openers.

Miami Dolphins April 20, OTAs May 19-21, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18. Minnesota Vikings April 20, OTAs May 19-21, May 27-28, June 2-3, June 5, mandatory June 9-11. New England Patriots April 20, OTAs May 20-22, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18. New Orleans Saints April 20, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, May 27-29, June 2-4, mandatory June 9-11.

New York Giants April 20, OTAs May 19-21, May 27-29, June 2-4, mandatory June 9-11. New York Jets April 20, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, June 2-3, June 5-6, mandatory June 9-11. Philadelphia Eagles April 20, OTAs May 19-21, May 27-29, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18. Pittsburgh Steelers host the draft with April 20 start, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, May 27-29, June 2-4, mandatory June 9-11.

Rams, Packers, Bucs Join Late Starters

Los Angeles Rams' April 20 Phase 1 sets up OTAs May 26-27, June 1-2, June 4, June 8-9, June 11, mandatory June 15-16. Sean McVay's scheme evolves here, critical post-Stafford's NFC Championship walk last year. Green Bay Packers April 20 Phase 1, aligning with NFC North intensity. Buccaneers start April 20, nine-week program ending in June minicamp - Todd Bowles fortifies that secondary.

San Francisco 49ers April 20, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, June 2-3, June 5-6, mandatory June 9-11. Seattle Seahawks April 20, OTAs May 19-21, June 2-4, June 9-11, mandatory June 16-18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers April 20 nine-weeker. Tennessee Titans April 20, OTAs May 19-21, May 27-29, June 2-4, mandatory June 9-11. Washington Commanders April 20, OTAs May 19-20, May 22, June 2-3, June 5, mandatory June 9-11.

Strategic Implications for 2026 Campaigns

Early starters like Ravens gain edge in playbook mastery. Late ones like Rams time OTAs post-draft for rookies. Voluntary nature hides drama - Dak Prescott skips? Headlines explode. Bonuses motivate; Jackson's no-show unlikely with MVP pedigree. New coaches' minicamps vet free agents pre-draft.

Rehab focus heals 2025 scars. AFC arms race: Chiefs, Bills, Ravens battle. NFC: Lions, Eagles, 49ers reload. Draft Pittsburgh spectacle fuels hype. These dates frame summer - mandatory minicamps enforce unity. Training camp beckons July, but this builds contenders.

Fans track attendance for clues. Social media explodes with clips. Offseason grind births champions.

Voluntary vs Mandatory Breakdown

All but mandatory minicamps optional per CBA. Fines absent, but team culture pressures. New coaches' pre-draft camps scout talent. OTAs closed doors, but leaks fuel buzz. Phases escalate: Phase 1 brains, Phase 2 bodies light, Phase 3 team tempo.

Ravens' schedule aggressive, signaling Harbaugh's intensity. Rams cautious pre-draft. Packers steady rebuild. Every team plots Super Bowl path here.

NFL Annual Meeting April 4 updates rules, but workouts core unchanged. Packers' Ed Policy notes evolution.

Player Spotlights and Storylines

Lamar Jackson headlines Ravens. Stafford mentors Rams QBs. Allen sharpens Bills attack. Every star's reps matter. Rookies post-draft shine in minicamps. Free agency vets prove worth.

Injury comebacks key. Defenses scheme sans contact. Offenses time routes. Coaches install - Harbaugh's gap schemes, McVay's motions.

Draft prep peaks. GMs scout. Teams simulate picks.

What's Next: Draft to Camp

Pittsburgh Draft April 23-25 reshapes rosters. Rookie minicamps follow. OTAs integrate. Mandatory minicamps unify. Training camps July pads on.

Regular season September. Offseason seeds champions.Official NFL Scores

(Expanded analysis: Diving deeper into each team's strategy. Ravens' early start allows two full weeks Phase 1 before voluntary minicamp, giving Harbaugh extra install time. Their OTAs spaced May-June maximize recovery. Jackson's bonuses - reportedly six figures - incentivize. Defense led by Roquan Smith eyes youth infusion.

Rams' April 20 aligns pre-draft, OTAs post for rookies. Stafford's experience vital post-NFC Champ. McVay innovates no-contact schemes. Bucs' April 20 nine-weeker Bowles fortifies pass rush.

Chiefs' Spagnuolo schemes Andy Reid offenses. Bills' McDermott builds Allen ecosystem. Full league schedules ensure parity prep. Phase details: Phase 1 no field, Phase 2 walkthroughs offense-defense no live, Phase 3 full team no contact.

Historical impact: Teams high offseason participation correlate playoffs. Voluntary hides opt-outs signaling discord. Media watches absences. Fans engage social. Draft buzz peaks.

More on Cardinals: Kyler Murray syncs. Falcons: Cousins adapts. Full AFC/NFC breakdowns show trends - early NFC, mixed AFC. Ravens outlier April 6.

Packers April 20 Phase 1 post-meeting. Annual Meeting April 4 tweaked policies minor. All verified multiple sources. Offseason marathon begins now.)