The 2016 NFL season is getting closer every day. Not nearly quick enough, mind you, but one day at a time is just about the best we can do.

One of the signs that we're getting closer is the teams across the league announcing the dates for their offseason workouts. The Minnesota Vikings have their dates all set, so let's look at when they can get things underway.

The first day of the team's offseason workouts will be 18 April, which is just two weeks from Monday. This will start "Phase I" of the offseason program, which is limited to strength and conditioning workouts only. Phase I encompasses the first two weeks of the program, and then the teams move into. . .oddly enough. . .Phase II. In Phase II, there can be individual player instruction and drills, as well as separate practices for each side of the ball. No "offense vs defense" drills or live contact of any kind is allowed in Phase II.

Phase III of the program starts with the Organized Team Activities, or OTAs. In Phase III of the offseason program, teams can have a total of ten days of OTAs. There still isn't any live contact permitted, but teams can go through 7-on-7, 9-on-9, and 11-on-11 drills during these times. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams can also hold one mandatory veteran mini-camp during Phase III of the offseason program.

The Vikings' OTAs will take place from 24-26 May, 31 May to 2 June, and 6-9 June. The mandatory veteran mini-camp will take place from 14-16 June.

That will be the extent of the Vikings' activity until Training Camp kicks off in July. We do not have any sort of schedule for that yet, but when we do we will pass it along.