Per this thread:
The off-season is the time from the end of arbitration up until the league’s draft is completed. If penalty-free cuts are executed during that time, the team that made those cuts will be able to bid on the players they cut in the Auction Draft.
If penalty-free cuts are executed after the league’s draft takes place, they are considered in-season cuts and are beholden to the 30-day reauction rule for the reasons outlined by @walkerpilot up thread.