2022 NFL Offseason Brings Big Moves
Bobby Willmot
Staff Writer
Following the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl victory at SoFi Stadium earlier this year, many teams have been preparing for the season to come. Some of these preparations have come through the signing of new and old players through the free agency season of 2022. With many trades changing the landscape of the NFL, this has been one of the most exciting off seasons in NFL history.
One of the biggest signings of the offseason was Von Miller leaving the champion Rams to go to the Buffalo Bills. Miller brings experience, two Super Bowl rings, 115.5 career sacks, and 233 quarterback hits to an already dangerous Bills defense. One of the biggest trades of the offseason between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks in which the Denver Broncos acquired Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson. This new addition of a Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback may breathe fresh air into a previously negative season last year, as the Denver Broncos haven’t had a Pro-Bowl quarterback since Peyton Manning. Wilson’s experience previously leading the Seahawks to two Super Bowls proves his strength as a leader and quarterback and will be an improvement to the lackluster displays of offense shown by the Broncos the past season.
Another team attempting to make great strides this season through their offseason deals is the New York Jets. Following a season where Zach Wilson was often seen on the ground due to the poor line, the front office has stepped in and picked up a lot of talent to compliment the young quarterback. This includes players on both sides of the ball including tight end CJ Uzomah from the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers guard Laken Tomlinson, Seattle Seahawks cornerback D.J Reed, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead. These moves seem to address many of the apparent holes previously displayed by the 4-13 Jets last season as the team displays a drive towards improvement. However, unlike the Jets, one organization has not taken the necessary steps towards improvement to their team. This comes in the form of another 4-13 team the previous season however their approach to acquiring players isn’t the same. The Houston Texans have not made many major trade deals bringing in major talent, especially after giving away their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns for many draft picks. This decision to be relatively passive following a 4-13 season from the Texans has many fans questioning the future of the team for the upcoming season.
Another big trade this offseason was the deal of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins. Hill wanted a new contract from the Chiefs but when they did not want to meet his demands, they decided to trade Hill to Miami for an assortment of draft picks. Patrick Mahomes will now be down one of his favorite targets while Miami gains a perennial wide receiver to add to their offense that already includes third year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, second year receiver Jaylen Waddle, and former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki. Hill was not the only big name receiver to be traded as Devante Adams was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Las Vegas Raiders. When quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed a major extension, Green Bay did not want to pay Adams the money he wanted for being one of the top receivers in the league. They instead traded him to Las Vegas where Adams will team with quarterback Derek Carr, tight end Darren Waller, and fellow receiver Hunter Renfrow as Vegas gave Adams the contract extension he wanted.
Wilson and Watson were the two biggest quarterbacks to switch teams, but they were not alone. Veteran Matt Ryan, who had spent his entire career with the Atlanta Falcons, was traded to the Indianapolis Colts replacing last year’s Colts starter Carson Wentz. Wentz was dealt to the newly named Washington Commanders who will get to see what Wentz looks like when throwing to receiver Terry McLaurin. Vegas backup quarterback Marcus Mariota signed with Atlanta, taking Ryan’s spot. Mitchell Trubisky signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, taking the quarterback spot that was vacated by the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
With the end of free agency and the NFL draft approaching, there is less and less time for NFL teams to be ready for America’s favorite sport.
Contact Bobby at robert.willmot@student.shu.edu