What happens at NFL OTAs? All you need to know

Organized team activities (OTAs) are part of NFL teams' preseason activities as they prepare for a new season. These activities allow fans to watch rookies and some of their favorite stars in action without the pressure of an actual NFL game.

This article will showcase what happens at organized team activities and why they can be crucial to building a solid NFL roster.

What to expect from OTAs

Organized team activities mark a major part of NFL teams' calendars. It is the first time all franchises will be together for offseason workouts following the NFL Draft.

While OTAs are voluntary, most players show up anyway. It's a chance to acclimatize with rookies, free agent signings and members of the coaching staff. Furthermore, it'll give the public the first sightings of their stars in action ahead of the upcoming NFL season.

Organized team activities are the first time that members of an NFL franchise can practice on the field together with helmets. Furthermore, it begins the third phase of a franchise's offseason workout program, which lasts four weeks.

Also, organized team activities give late draft picks and fringe players their first shot at proving to their franchises that they deserve to be on the playing roster for the upcoming NFL season. Superstars occasionally skip OTAs as a leverage play to get better contracts, but this is an extremely risky move for a player who lacks such a high standing on a franchise.

According to the National Football League's media policy, "clubs must open to the local media at least once every three OTA days."

Which teams are starting their OTAs?

Different teams have different timetables for their organized team activities. Here's a look at the 2024 schedule:

May 13, 2024

• Atlanta Falcons

May 15, 2024

• Washington Commanders

May 20, 2024

• Arizona Cardinals
• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills
• Carolina Panthers
• Chicago Bears
• Green Bay Packers
• Houston Texans
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Los Angeles Rams
• Miami Dolphins
• Minnesota Vikings
• New England Patriots
• New York Giants
• New York Jets
• Philadelphia Eagles
• San Francisco 49ers
• Seattle Seahawks
• Tennessee Titans

May 21, 2024

• Cleveland Browns
• Dallas Cowboys
• Denver Broncos
• Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts
• New Orleans Saints
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

May 28, 2024

• Cincinnati Bengals