First offseason...
 

I'm player in my first offseason in single player mode. What are the steps of the offseason?

I'm at the point where I can view the draft and continue free agency but I can't release any of my players. Is there a time they will allow me to do this?

The best thing to do is have the in game email open as you progress through the offseason. In your email you'll get directions on what you can do during each stage. Do those things, then move on to the next stage. You should be able to release players if you're in free agency already.

Just go to the player card of the player you want to release and click release. If the guy is injured and has more than a year left on their contract, you won't be able to release them, however.

You also can't release guys if they are not under contract -- your unrestricted free agents (circles with white squares inside) and your restricted free agents (circles with black squares).

So if you can see the draft you're in early Free Agency. There's the draft, then there's Late Free Agency (where your RFA's will go into the UFA pool), and then training camp!

I'm now at the start of training camp and the WR I traded up for won't accept any of the option offers. What can I do to get him signed?
He was a first round pick and I offered him the highest option it would allow me and he didn't take it.
What can I do to lock him up?

It may be counter-intuitive but the option furthest to the RIGHT (Option 4 or Option 2 if they only have 2 options) is the one that rookies like best. Shortest amount of time, they hit free agency soonest.

Rookies will ALWAYS sign option 4 any time it is offered.

Otherwise you get two chances to offer rookies before camp: once during any point in Late Free Agency, and once just before camp. Afterwards if they aren't signed you can offer any week of the season/preseason.

If he is playing on a sideways screen maybe..

Rookies will always accept the bottom option when you offer them a contract. If you offer a different option and they refuse the deal, you have to wait until right before camp to try again. At that point if you want to ensure they will be in camp, offer them the bottom option.

Right now I had to turn game off and walk away from the laptop before I threw it out the window.
I'm at my first week in preseason and the guys I try to make active as I go to start my game they aren't active.
What am I doing wrong? I want to give my second round Corner sometime in preseason and it keeps switching him to inactive :banghead: HELP!!!!!!!

You gotta go under your "Edit Global options" and make sure the coach is not resetting the depth chart prior to the game. Global game options is the first button in the block of button icons in the top right menu. (The first block has the open / save / delete game stuff).

Julio is right about it being the bottom option by the way. It just is listed on the far right before you go make hte offer.

Good luck recovering your laptop ;)