Let the countdown continue!

With the NFL announcing on Thursday the official dates to some of the key moments on the 2024 calendar that had yet to be solidified, let’s check back in on the official count down of the number of days to key offseason dates.

17 days: Franchise Tag Signing

Any player who was designated with a franchise tag must have a signed contract by 4 PM on July 15. After this date, the player can only play under the tag for the season. The Steelers did not use the franchise tag in 2024.

24 days: Transition Tag Signing

Any player who is designated with the transition tag must have a signed contract from another club by 4 PM on July 22. After this date, only the team who issued the tag has exclusive negotiating rights. The Steelers did not use the transition tag in 2024.

26 days: Training Camp

Now that the Steelers have officially announced the start date of training camp, they are reporting as expected the middle of the final full week of July on July 24, 2024. The first practice is scheduled for Thursday, July 25, at 10:30 AM. The first practice in pads is the next Tuesday on July 30.

34 days: Hall of Fame Game

This date won’t be as significant to the Steelers for 2024 as they are not scheduled to play in the Hall of Fame Game, which kicks off the weekend on Thursday August 1, 2024. The Hall of Fame activities will be over the course of the weekend from the game Thursday through Sunday with the 2024 enshrinement scheduled for Saturday. The game on Thursday will be between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears.

42 days: The Steelers First Preseason Game

The Steelers are scheduled to have their first preseason game on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers will be facing the Houston Texans at 7 PM and will be televised live to a national audience on the NFL Network.

57 days: The Steelers Last Preseason Game

After hosting preseason games in back-to-back weeks, the Steelers will be traveling to Detroit to face the Lions on Saturday, August 24, at 1 PM. Just like the previous two preseason games, it will be televised live to a national audience on the NFL Network.

60 days: 53-man Rosters

The NFL announced on Thursday the final roster cut down date will once again be the Tuesday following the final preseason games on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 4 PM. This year, teams can designate up to two players to immediately go on the Reserve/Injured list who are eligible to return, but those players will automatically count against the number of designations regardless of if they return during the season or not.

61 days: Waiver claims & Practice Squad

Teams have until 12 EST on Wednesday, August 28 to claim any players with less than four credited seasons off waivers. Additionally, once this time has passed teams can sign players who were not claimed, and well a veteran players, to their 16-man practice squad.

69 days: Salary Cap Compliance

The NFL announced on Thursday that teams must be salary cap compliant by 12 AM EST (yes, that is AM) with all 53 players on the roster and their practice squad as the rule of 51 which is used throughout the offseason will expire.

69 days: NFL Kickoff Game

Thursday, September 5, 2024 will be the first game of the NFL season as the Baltimore Ravens travel to defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.

72 days: Steelers opening game

The Steelers start their regular-season campaign by traveling to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Sunday, September 8. The game is scheduled for 1 PM on FOX.

86 days: Steelers home opener

The Steelers play their first regular-season home game in Week 3 when they host the Los Angeles Chargers on September 22. The game is scheduled for 1 PM on CBS.

130 days: Trade Deadline

During Week 9 of the NFL season, which also happens to be the Steelers bye week, the NFL trade deadline will occur at 4 PM EST on Tuesday, November 5. Following the deadline, all players, included players with more than four credited seasons, must pass through waivers if released.

190-191 days: Steelers final regular season game

The Steelers last game of the 2024 season will be at Acrisure Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Whether the game will be on Saturday, January 4, or Sunday, January 5, as well as the kickoff time, will not be announced until Week 17.

226 days: Super Bowl LIX

Super Bowl LIX is scheduled to be played on February 9, 2025 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.