Key dates on Eagles' offseason calendar

Now that the Super Bowl is finished, attention turns to the 2017 NFL season. Here is what's coming up on the calendar:

February 6 -- Waiver system begins for 2017.

The Eagles are going to open salary cap space during the next month, and they can start doing it on Monday. The waiver system begins on the day after the Super Bowl, so all vested veterans (players with more than four years of service) become free agents upon release. Players in their first four years are subject to waivers.

What does this mean for the Eagles?

Veterans with expensive contracts such as Connor Barwin, Ryan Mathews, Leodis McKelvin, and Jason Kelce are in jeopardy of becoming salary cap causalities during this period. The Eagles have a month to clear that salary cap space before free agency begins. If the Eagles agree on any trades instead of releasing players, those deals don't become official until March 9.

This date likely won't be applicable for the Eagles, because they lack high-profile free agents who would warrant the franchise player tag. Bennie Logan is their top free agent, but don't expect him to get tagged. Teams have until March 1 to use the tag. This date was more significant last season when Sam Bradford was set to hit free agency.

Click for a breakdown of the Eagles' free agents.

The combine is a key offseason date every year for both evaluating and interviewing the top draft prospects, and putting the offseason plan in place. (The Eagles and Dolphins had trade talks last year about the deal that included Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso.) The Eagles have eight picks in the draft and will be exposed to the underclassmen for the first time. Most of the top cornerbacks, running backs, and wide receivers in the draft are underclassmen, so they Eagles could meet their first-round pick in Indianapolis.

Also, this is where the coin flip will take place to decide whether the Eagles or the Colts get the No. 14 pick or the No. 15 pick.

March 7-9 – Legal tampering period for free agents

During this period, teams can begin contract negotiations with free agents. Although a contract cannot be executed until 4 p.m. on March 9, this is the critical period for teams to make headway on luring a free agent. It's also a time when a team is in jeopardy of losing a player on its roster set to hit the open market.

This is the big day. Here's all that happens:

*Free agents can sign beginning at 4 p.m., and the top free agents usually strike deals right away. So for all those hoping the Eagles can lure a No. 1 wide receiver – Chicago's Alshon Jeffery would be the biggest name if he hits the market – this is the day a deal would likely be made.

*Trading period begins at 4 p.m., so teams can officially trade players. Even if a deal is agreed upon before this date – remember the LeSean McCoy-Kiko Alonso swap in 2015? – it doesn't become official until this date.

*Top-51 begins – Even though teams have 90 roster spots, only the top 51 count against the salary cap. That goes into effect on this date, and even as the team adds players, the top 51 players must be under the team's allotted salary cap space.

*Restricted free agents must receive qualifying offers by this date. Tight end Trey Burton and Kenjon Barner are the restricted free agents on the roster. They have until April 21 to sign offer sheets.

This is a key event on the offseason calendar for important league issues such as rule changes and relocation, but it's also noteworthy for fans that want to hear from the top decision-makers in the organization. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie usually speaks at these meetings, Howie Roseman will likely address reporters, and Doug Pederson discusses the team for one hour at the NFC coaches' breakfast.

The 2017 Eagles gather for the first time on this date when teams with returning coaches can begin offseason workouts. The organized team activities and mini camps will come later in May and June, but the first stage – and first meeting – starts on April 17.

The draft is on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway this season. A few miles away in South Philadelphia, the Eagles will have eight draft picks (that number could change with trades) to try to upgrade their roster.

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm