Here are key offseason dates for the Bears over the next two months:Jan. 30: Senior Bowl. The Bears’ scouting department will be in Mobile, Alabama, to take a closer look at the top prospects in the 2016 NFL draft class. The Bears typically make coaches and scouts off-limits to the media throughout the week.
Feb. 8: First day teams can place players on waivers for 2016.
Feb. 16: First day teams can use the franchise or transition tag on players. The franchise tag may be an option for wide receiver
Alshon Jeffery, who is an unrestricted free agent.
Feb. 23-29: The NFL scouting combine takes place in Indianapolis. Thanks to finishing 6-10 last year, Chicago has the 11th pick in the draft. The annual combine is an invaluable resource for teams to meet one-on-one with select members of the rookie class, and to conduct business with agents of prospective free agents. The Bears usually make their head coach and general manager available to the media at Lucas Oil Stadium.
March 1: Deadline for applying the franchise or transition tag is 3 p.m. CT.
March 7-9: Teams can enter into negotiations with agents of players who will be unrestricted free agents. The Bears have 18 unrestricted free agents, whom they can sign at any time. No contracts can be executed with other team’s free agents until 3 p.m. CT on March 9.
March 9: Free agency begins at 3 p.m. CT. The Bears have in excess of $50 million in available salary cap space, but general manager Ryan Pace hinted the club is expected to spread out its resources, instead of signing one "splash" free agent.
April 18: Offseason workouts begin for teams with head coaches who are returning.
April 22: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign their offer sheets.
April 28-30: The NFL draft takes place in Chicago.