Denver Broncos' offseason workout program to begin April 18

It's been just eight weeks since the Denver Broncos closed the chapter on the 2015-16 season with a Lombardi, but the world champs have announced their 2016 offseason schedule, which will begin April 18.

This voluntary, nine-week offseason workout program includes limited activities from April 18 to June 16 in three phases.

Phase One (two weeks):

Players take part in strength and conditioning workouts only as well as physical rehabilitation.

Phase Two (three weeks):

This phase includes on-field workouts in which teams may conduct individual player instruction and drills for team practice conducted on a "separates" basis. There may not be any live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills.

Phase Three (the final four weeks)

The third phase includes an allowed total of 10 days of organized team practice. During OTAs, live contact is permitted, but teams may conduct 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

Teams are also allowed to hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players during this phase.

The NFL Draft is April 28-30, so teams are allowed to run a rookie football development program for a span of seven weeks, which can begin on May 9. One rookie minicamp may be held on either the first or second weekend after the draft.

Important offseason dates:

• First day: April 18
• OTA Offseason Workouts: May 24-26, May 31, June 1-2, June 13-16
• Mandatory Minicamp: June 7-9