As Combine participants depart Indianapolis on Monday, the focus of the 2020 NFL calendar shifts to the excitement of what’s to come. With tampering periods, tags, and all the things that go lead into the free agency frenzy, it can be confusing. Here’s your handy guide to keeping it all straight in this month of March.

MARCH 10

All NFL clubs that want to franchise or transition tag players must do so by 2:00pm MT.

MARCH 16-18

Affectionately known as the “legal tampering period,” this is the window where teams are allowed to contact and negotiate with unrestricted free agents. This is the time when deals are announced, but not official until the end start of the new league year on March 18 at 2:00pm MT.

March 18

At 2:00pm MT, the new league year begins. Teams that want to exercise contract options (where applicable) must have done so before this time. Also before this time, teams must submit offers to their restricted free agents with expiring contracts in order to retain the first right of refusal should those players draw interest from other teams. Clubs also need to have tendered players with expiring contracts in order to keep exclusive negotiating rights. Lastly, all teams must be under the 2020 Salary cap by this time.

Happy New Year! The 2020 season officially begins with the open of free agency and the ability to execute trades at 2:00pm MT.

March is always an exciting time in the NFL. I can’t be the only one looking forward to seeing how the Broncos flesh out their 2020 roster. Can’t wait!

HORSE TRACKS

Sacco Sez: How the Combine has evolved over the years
Broncos Team Historian Jim Saccomano looks back on the evolution of the NFL Scouting Combine, from humble beginnings to media extravaganza.

Michael Brockers: Denver Broncos should select a defensive lineman in Round 1 of 2020 draft [Video]
With Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris set to hit unrestricted free agency, Michael Brockers believes the Denver Broncos should select a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Kiszla: How John Elway can fix the Broncos’ offense in NFL draft. (Hint: Think big, not fast.) – The Denver Post
Before we help John Elway fix the Broncos' offense in three easy (NFL draft) steps, let’s get a couple of things straight.

NFL "closely monitoring" coronavirus developments - ProFootballTalk

Jack Conklin may be headed to the Jets - ProFootballTalk

Players' share of revenue can go as high as 48.8 percent - ProFootballTalk

Mike Pouncey say veteran players are organizing a separate strike fund - ProFootballTalk

Bears expected to add veteran QB, sources say
While Mitch Trubisky is still expected to start for Chicago in 2020, the team is expected to add an established veteran quarterback with pedigree and extensive starting experience.

Utah DB Javelin Guidry posts sizzling 4.29 in 40 at combine
Utah cornerback Javelin Guidry lit it up at the combine, running a 4.29 in the 40 and benching 21 reps.

Bengals plan to use franchise tag on receiver A.J. Green
Wide receiver A.J. Green is expected to get the Bengals' franchise tag, sources tell ESPN. The tag is estimated to be worth $18.5 million.

Xavier McKinney cuts NFL combine workout short due to cramps - NFL.com
Former Alabama safety Xavier McKinney, one of the 2020 NFL Draft's top defensive prospects, cut his NFL Scouting Combine workout short on Sunday due to cramps.

Xavier McKinney cuts NFL combine workout short due to cramps - NFL.com
Former Alabama safety Xavier McKinney, one of the 2020 NFL Draft's top defensive prospects, cut his NFL Scouting Combine workout short on Sunday due to cramps.

Draft prospect Javelin K. Guidry posts 4.29-second combine 40 - NFL.com
He came up short of the best 40-yard dash time of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, but Utah's Javelin K. Guidry still turned heads with his run on Sunday.

Top 10 40-yard dash times from the 2020 combine - NFL.com
Henry Ruggs ran a 4.27 40 on Day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine, and no one topped it. Javelin Guidry (4.29) did come close, however. Here are the 10 fastest 40 times from the 2020 combine.

Bears, Pats among potential trade partners for Dalton - NFL.com
All signs point to Andy Dalton playing for a new team in 2020. The question is where. Three teams that might be interested in trading for the Bengals QB are the Bears, Colts and Patriots, Ian Rapoport reports.

2020 NFL Free Agency: Chiefs to avoid exercising option on Cameron Erving, per report - CBSSports.com
2020 NFL free agency: Chiefs to avoid exercising option on Cameron Erving, per report

Saints' Cameron Jordan reportedly played through major injury in career-best 2019 season, underwent surgery - CBSSports.com
Saints Cameron Jordan reportedly played through major injury in career-best 2019 season, underwent surgery

2020 NFL combine results: Jeff Okudah rebounds from injury scare, plus times and more for defensive backs - CBSSports.com
The draft's top-ranked cornerback refused to stay on the sideline.