April is most known in NFL circles for two major events – the draft and the release of the NFL season schedule.
Equally important but more under the radar, April also marks the beginning of each team's offseason program.
April 18 marks the start of the Chargers offseason program. According to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team is allowed a voluntary nine-week offseason program, which is divided into three phases:
Phase I
The first two weeks of the program are limited to only strength and conditioning, as well as physical rehabilitation.
Phase II
The second phase lasts three weeks and consists of on-field workouts that may include individual player instruction and drills. Team practice may be conducted on a "separates" basis, but no live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
Phase III
The final four weeks are comprised of a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, often referred to as "OTAs". No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted. The Chargers' OTAs will take place on the following dates:
- May 23-25
- May 31
- June 1-2
- June 6-9.
Minicamp
Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement also affords clubs one mandatory minicamp for veteran players.
The Chargers minicamp will take place June 14-16.
The Bolts will then part ways for the next month before returning in late July for training camp. We will post info on training camp and open dates for fans to attend as soon as they are announced.
