By Darin March 15 is the day the NFL’s “musical chairs” officially begins, often serving as the high-stakes threshold of the new league year. From blockbuster “intentions”—like Aaron Rodgers’ seismic 2023 announcement to join the Jets—to the frantic scramble of free agency, this date bridges the gap between legendary pasts and the league’s future. Whether it’s celebrating the record-shattering legacy of Norm Van Brocklin or tracking the modern salary cap reset, March 15th is where football’s next chapter is written.
Before we dive deep into the gridiron history of the “Ides of March,” let’s take a gander at this piece of football cover art for a big game in 1967, over a half-century before Oregon and Ohio State were Big Ten Conference rivals.
March 15 American Football History Timeline
- March 15, 2023 – Aaron Rodgers Announces “Intent” to Join the Jets: In a moment that dominated sports media, Green Bay Packers legend Aaron Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on March 15, 2023, to announce his intention to play for the New York Jets. This effectively ended his 18-year tenure in Green Bay and triggered a massive trade negotiation that shifted the landscape of the AFC.
- March 15, The Typical Start of the NFL New League Year: March 15 frequently serves as the official start of the NFL New League Year and the beginning of the Free Agency signing period. This date marks the deadline for teams to remain under the salary cap and allows for the official execution of trades and signings that were “agreed upon” during the legal tampering period.
March 15 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Clarence Swanson
- DOB: March 15, 1898
- Description: A legendary “end” for the Nebraska Cornhuskers (1918–1921) and a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Swanson set school receiving records that stood for 50 years and was a key captain during the program’s early rise to national prominence.
Norm Van Brocklin
- DOB: March 15, 1926
- Description: Nicknamed “The Dutchman,” this Hall of Fame quarterback and punter led both the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles to NFL championships; he still holds the NFL record for the most passing yards in a single game (554 yards).
Randy Duncan
- DOB: March 15, 1937
- Description: A unanimous All-American quarterback at the University of Iowa, Duncan was the first overall pick in the 1959 NFL Draft after leading the Hawkeyes to a Rose Bowl victory and finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Conclusion
From the early 20th-century dominance of Clarence Swanson to the digital-age drama of Aaron Rodgers, March 15th represents the constant evolution of American football. It is a day that honors the pioneers who built the game and the modern stars who keep us glued to our screens. As the new league year kicks off and the free-agent frenzy takes hold, we are reminded that the NFL never truly has an offseason—only a new beginning.
Want more daily history? Look back every day, or see March 14’s history here.
Special thanks to our sources for accuracy, including Pro-Football-Reference
