The NFL could be close to the first move of what could lead to a shuffling of its offseason calendar, according to reports.
ESPN and NFL.com have reported the NFL and NFLPA are close to agreeing to move the 2014 draft to May. The target date could be May 15.
One reason for moving the 2014 draft is a scheduling conflict. Radio City Music Hall, which hosts the draft, has a Rockette’s show scheduled for late April that would preclude the draft from being held there.
But the league also has interest in moving around the offseason calendar in an attempt to keep the NFL in the news almost year round. The May draft could be considered a one-year trial, and in the future the combine and the start of free agency also could be shuffled.
The competition committee has discussed having the start of free agency moved up to late February and moving back the combine to March.
dpompei@tribune.com
Twitter @danpompei
