NFL Free Agency: Bengals Free Agents and Dates to Know

Oct 7, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The offseason is here, and here are all the key dates you need to know regarding free agency:

March 9-11- NFL teams are permitted to enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of players who will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the current League Year.

March 12- Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2013 on all players who have option clauses in their 2012 contracts. Also prior to 4:00 p.m., clubs must submit a minimum salary offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2012 contracts and who have fewer than three seasons of free agency credit.

After 4 p.m., teams can begin signing unrestricted free agents and negotiating trades with other teams.

Here is a list of all the Bengals slated to become free agents:

POSITION	PLAYER	STATUS
Quarterback	Bruce Gradkowski	UFA
Running Back	Bernard Scott	UFA
	Brian Leonard	UFA
	Cedric Peerman	RFA
Tight End	Richard Quinn	RFA
Wide Receiver	Brandon Tate	UFA
	Andrew Hawkins	ERFA
Offensive Line	Andre Smith	UFA
	Dennis Roland	UFA
Defensive Line	Michael Johnson	UFA
	Pat Sims	UFA
	Robert Geathers	UFA
	Wallace Gilberry	UFA
Linebacker	Thomas Howard	UFA
	Rey Maualuga	UFA
	Manny Lawson	UFA
	Dan Skuta	UFA
	Vincent Rey	ERFA
Defensive Back	Terence Newman	UFA
	Nate Clements	UFA
	Chris Crocker	UFA
	Adam Jones	UFA
	Jeromy Miles	RFA
Kicker	Mike Nugent	UFA
	Josh Brown	UFA
Punter	Kevin Huber	UFA
Long Snapper	Clark Harris	UFA