Feb. 3 - Waiver system begins for 2020: The Texans are 26th in the waiver claim order, because they're 26th in the NFL Draft order. They'll remain in that waiver wire spot until early on in the 2020 regular season.
Feb. 24-March 2- NFL - Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana: Hundreds of NFL Draft prospects are in Indianapolis to go through a battery of medical exams, physical and mental tests, and interviews with NFL teams. The Texans will be there to evaluate them, as Houston has six picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Feb. 25 - First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players: Teams can designate one franchise or transitional player, which would prevent the player from entering free agency in March. The deadline to designate is March 10.
March 16-18 - Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2019 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18: Teams and soon-to-be unrestricted free agents can talk and begin agreeing to terms. But it's not official until 4:00 p.m. ET on the 18th.
March 18 - The 2020 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time: Unrestricted free agents can officially sign contracts with teams. Teams can also begin trading after the expiration of all 2019 contracts.
Mid to late April - The NFL announces the 2020 regular season schedule.
April 20 - Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs: For the first time since locker room cleanout day on January 13, the majority of the players will be back in NRG Stadium. Voluntary strength and conditioning workouts get going.
April 23-25 - NFL Draft, Las Vegas, Nevada: The Texans own six picks in the Draft, and their first is in the second round at 57th overall.
April 27 - Beginning this date, NFL clubs may request permission to visit with, try out, or sign any player who was under contract to the XFL at the conclusion of the XFL season: Two days after the Draft, the Texans can choose to sign XFL players as free agents.
May 1-4 or May 8-11 - Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday: Either the weekend after the Draft, or two weekends after the Draft, the Texans will get their first look at the draftees and undrafted rookies.
Late July - The Texans will start training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
Sept. 5 - Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List: The Texans trim the roster from 90 to 53 players. The following day, they can sign 10 players to the practice squad, and claim players off the waiver wire.
Sept. 10, 13-14 - Regular Season Week 1: The regular season gets underway.
