The easily defeated the 31-9 in LV to end Kansas City's quest to become the first to defend the championship since the 2004 . With the offseason officially kicking off, financial decisions begin to take center stage for all NFL teams with an expected sharp decline in the current $198.2 million salary cap. The decisions made in the early part of the offseason can have long lasting ramifications for teams. Here's a look at key offseason dates running through the first week of the 2021 league year, which begins on March 17. Some dates have league-wide importance. Other dates can potentially affect specific player contracts and the salary cap of individual teams because they are crucial to the timing of contract restructures, pay cuts and players being released. Notable players have been highlighted on the appropriate date with how the event is specified in their respective contracts. Le s heralded players are only mentioned on dates without a lot of activity.Feb. 8 : Players with fewer than four years of service for benefit purposes are subject to waivers and their contracts Deion Sanders Jersey can be claimed by other teams. Players with four or more years of service become free agents when released and can be immediately signed.Feb. 10 : Tight end $6.02 million 2021 base salary is fully guaranteed. Waller's base salary was guaranteed for injury at signing.Feb. 12 : Quarterback $19 million 2021 base salary, which was guaranteed for injury at signing, becomes fully guaranteed and $5 million of linebacker $13.15 million 2021 base salary is fully guaranteed. The $5 million was guaranteed for injury at signing. : First day for the Broncos to exercise options for defensive back and linebacker 2021 contract years with $1.5 of Jackson's $10 million 2021 base salary becoming fully guaranteed with the option being exercised and $7 million of Miller's $17.5 million 2021 base salary fully guaranteed if the option is exercised. The deadline to exercise these options is the last day of the 2020 league year, which is March 17. :Defensive end 2021 contract year voids. He will be an unrestricted free agent when 2021 League Year starts. The Lions will have a $901,668 cap charge because of Troy Aikman Jersey the signing bonus proration for Okwara's 2021 contract year. : Linebacker 2021-24 contract years void. Campbell becomes an unrestricted free agent at the start of the 2021 League Year. The Cardinals will have a $4 million cap charge from the bonus proration relating to these contract years. : Running back 2021 contract year voids. He will be an unrestricted free agent when the 2021 League Year begins on March 17. The 49ers will have a $2 million cap charge relating to the bonus proration from the 2021 contract year. Feb. 23 NFL: The 15-day period where teams can designate franchise or transition players begins. : Outside linebacker/defensive end 2021 and 2022 contract years void. Floyd becomes an unrestricted free agent at the start of the 2021 League Year . The Rams will have a $3,333,334 million cap charge from the bonus proration relating to these contract years. :Deadline for the Jaguars to exercise an option on tight end 2021 contract worth $5.25 million with an additional $2 million in incentives. $1.5 million of Eifert's $4.15 million base salary is fully guaranteed with the option being exercised. $5 Dak Prescott T Shirts ,437,500 of cap room will be gained from declining the option. Chiefs: Defensive end 2021 contract year voids. He will be an unrestricted free agent when 2021 League Year starts. The Chiefs will have a $2 million cap charge because of the signing bonus proration for Okafor's 2021 contract year.March 7 : Defensive tackle ' 2021 and 2022 contract years void. He becomes an unrestricted free agent at the start of the 2021 League Year . The Saints will have a $4 million cap charge from Rankins' 2021 and 2022 signing bonus proration after voiding.March 9NFL: The period for designating franchise or transition players ends at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. : Dallas is expected to designated quarterback as a franchise player for a second straight year if he doesn't sign a long-term deal by this deadline. It will cost the Cowboys $37,690,800 to franchise Prescott.March 15-17NFL: Teams are allowed to negotiate with the agents of prospective unrestricted free agents during a two-day period beginning March 15 at noon Eastern Time and ending at 4 p.m. ET on March 17. In the two-day window, prospective unrestricted free agents can't visit teams or have direct contact with team employees, except those from their current clubs. A player's ability to re-sign with his current club isn't affected by the rule. The negotiating period does not apply to unsigned players receiving restricted free agent, franchise or transition tenders.March 17 NFL: The top 51 begins. Only the top 51 salaries (i.e.; cap numbers), including unsigned franchise, transition, restricted free agent and exclusive-rights tenders on a team count against the salary cap during the offseason. All teams must be under the salary Dallas Cowboys T Shirts cap prior to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.. NFL: The 2021 League Year and free agency begin at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.NFL: The trading period begins at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.Lions-Rams: Trade between teams involving and becomes official. Cardinals: 10-day window to pick up options on safety and wide receiver ' 2024 contract years for $14.2 million and $14.915 million respectively opens. A $7.1 million payment is nece sary for Baker's 2024 contract year. Emmitt Smith Jersey His 2021 base salary reduces from a fully guaranteed $11.1 million to a fully guaranteed $4 million with the option being exercised. If the required $9 million payment for Hopkins' 2024 season isn't made, his 2021 base salary is a fully guaranteed $13.75 million instead of a fully guaranteed $4.75 million. : The five-day period for the team to exercise an option for offensive tackle voiding 2026 contract year begins. A $4 million payment to pick up this 2026 contract year will reduce Johnson's fully guaranteed 2021 base salary from $13.565 million to $9.565 million. : The first day of a five-day period for the team to exercise options for offensive tackle and cornerback 2024 and 2025 contract years worth $10.3 million and. $12,535,093, respectively. Paying the required $7.5 million for Dawkins' 2024 contract will drop his fully guaranteed $14.8 million 2021 base salary to a fully guaranteed $7.3 million. The $7.5 million for White's 2025 contract year will take his fully guaranteed $17.95 million 2021 base