The 49ers go into the 2020 offseason with history pulling against them a little bit. Losing a Super Bowl, then winning it the following year is next to impossible, and something that’s only happened three times in 54 iterations of the NFL’s championship game.

San Francisco should still be in a good spot to have success next season though if they put together a strong offseason.

Here are key dates to know through April as the 49ers look to retool and get back to the Super Bowl in February of 2021.

February 24 – March 2 | NFL combine

The 49ers don’t have a ton of picks at their disposal going into the draft, but their limited cap space may require them to lean on the draft to bolster their depth after free agency. Their first real chance to see prospects up close and meet with them will take place at the combine in Indianapolis.

March 10 | Deadline to use franchise or transition tags

Teams can officially use their franchise tag on Feb. 25, but the deadline comes a couple weeks later at 1:00 pm PST. San Francisco used their franchise tag a season ago on kicker Robbie Gould. This year they may wind up using to keep defensive lineman Arik Armstead in Santa Clara.

March 16 | Legal tampering period opens

Players set to be unrestricted free agents can begin negotiating with teams at 1:00 pm PST. They can’t sign any deals and make anything official, but this is the period where contracts will start getting agreed upon. San Francisco has two key free agents – Armstead and Jimmie Ward – who they may want to lock up before letting them test the open market starting March 16.

March 18 | Free agency opens

The 18th of March is a big day for the NFL offseason. Free agency begins at 1:00 pm PST, and that’s when deals agreed upon starting March 16 can be signed and made official.

That’s also the deadline for teams to exercise options for the 2020 season on players with club options on their deals. Teams must also submit qualifying offers for their restricted free agents. Among San Francisco’s restricted free agents are QB Nick Mullens, WR Kendrick Bourne, RB Matt Breida and LB Elijah Lee.

All 2019 player contracts expire at 1:00 pm PST.

April 20 | Offseason programs may begin

Since the 49ers did not hire a new coach in the offseason, their first day of offseason workouts can start any time after April 20.

April 23-25 | NFL draft

San Francisco currently holds just one pick in the first two days of the draft, but that could change by the time they’re on the clock with the No. 31 overall pick.

April 27 | XFL players eligible

Once the XFL season is over, teams can request permission to visit with or sign any player who was under contract with that league.