Off-Season Moves: Best, Worst, Most Refreshing
Every year there are signings that make you go “....HOW?!” And that’s on both ends of the spectrum: how did that guy get paid that much and also how did they manage to sign him for so little?! This year has been insane because of all the big name trades that have taken place, in fact Tyreek Hill was traded while I was writing this. I feel bad for every AFC Quarterback, especially if they play in the AFC West (that division is going to be a bloodbath and I can’t wait to watch it). This might be the first year since I really got into football that I’ll end up enjoying the free agency period more than the draft. Here’s a look at what I think were the best moves, the worst moves, the most under-the-radar signings and which team I think had the most refreshing offseason.
BEST
Cincinnati’s Offensive Line Moves: If at any point you said the words “Cincy’s O-Line isn’t that bad” you were wrong. Burrow was wrecked by the Rams in the second half of the Super Bowl thanks to the turnstile blocking in front of him. Cincy’s front office saw the problem and they made it a point to fix it by signing Alex Cappa, La’el Collins and Ted Karras. It may take a little bit for their new look Line to gel, but Cincy fans and Burrow should be ecstatic about these moves.
Cleveland trading for Watson and Cooper: There’s been lots of negative reactions and statements about these two trades the Browns made. I’ll touch on Watson first. I’m a firm believer in innocent until proven guilty. A grand jury decided there wasn’t enough evidence to bring criminal charges against Watson. That won’t stop the media from attacking him and Cleveland, but they’ve also decided that anyone who is accused of doing something they don’t agree with is automatically guilty. Remember, you can think for yourself. Watson is a premier Quarterback and the AFC is now loaded with Quarterback talent, so Cleveland making a move for him (regardless of what they paid) was a great decision. Now Cooper. The trade for him has been praised and attacked. It’s been attacked because of his cap hit for the next three years, but considering what other Receivers have been paid this offseason and his age (turns 28 in June) it’s not as bad as people have made it seem. Bonus, the Browns pretty much gave up a bag of chips for him.
Chargers Improve their Defense: The Chargers have the benefit of having a tremendous young passer that’s still on his rookie deal, so they went out and targeted their biggest weakness, their defense. Trading for Khalil Mack and signing J.C. Jackson (on a shockingly well-priced deal) are the two most obvious moves, but don’t sleep on Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day. Johnson made a surprise jump for the Giants last year and SJD has played a solid role along the Rams D-Line the last couple years. They should both be given the opportunity to expand on their roles with the Chargers. In a division that just got way more loaded on offense the Chargers made the right moves to try and counter all that.
Denver and Indy’s QB moves: Denver has had a very talented overall roster, but they’ve failed to make waves in the AFC West because they haven’t had a major talent under Center. They jump to an immediate AFC favorite after the Wilson trade though. Indy landing Matt Ryan doesn’t make them a favorite in the AFC because Ryan isn’t on the same level as Wilson, Watson, Mahomes, Jackson, Allen, Burrow or Herbert. It does however make them a favorite in the AFC South thanks to how weak the division is as a whole and their very talented roster. On top of that they got rid of Wentz’s contract and added picks, flipping a third for Ryan and taking on a very small amount of his 2022 contract to avoid cap purgatory was just the cherry on top. I love the decision, now go get him a WR2 to pair with Pittman and maybe a new Left Tackle!
Titans land Woods for basically nothing: They gave up a sixth round pick for a Receiver who drastically improves their Receiver room. I know Woods is coming off a torn ACL, but that’s not that big of a deal nowadays. They swung and missed with Julio Jones last year, that won’t be the same result here, and all they had to give up was a late round pick in 2023 that would’ve been used on a project player or someone that would’ve played Special Teams. Fantastic move to give themselves a chance to again compete with Indy for the AFC South (see above).
WORST
Bills hand ridiculous contract to Von Miller: So many people loved this move, but I am definitely on the opposite end of that spectrum. He turns 33 in a couple days, plays a position that takes a toll on the body, suffered a serious ankle injury two years ago that nagged at him last year, and yet they handed him a 6 (SIX!!) year, $120 million deal. I don’t care how many Super Bowls he’s won, no way I’m giving him that kind of contract.
D.J. Chark heads to Detroit: This was a great signing by Detroit, it’s Chark’s decision that I’m questioning. This is a one year prove it deal. Clearly Chark didn’t see what happened to Smith-Schuster last year when he elected to stay with a limited talent under Center on a one year prove it deal. Spoiler alert, he’s playing on another one year prove it deal this year, but at least this time he was smart enough to take the offer to go play with Mahomes. Don’t be surprised if Chark finds himself back in the exact same spot come next free agency.
Jacksonville’s over the top contract for Kirk: Christian Kirk has yet to top 1,000 receiving yards, and his highest touchdown total in a season is six. That didn’t stop the Jags from giving him $18 mill a year. Maybe he’ll hit the potential everyone saw when he was coming into the league, but based on what we’ve seen so far this contract doesn’t make any sense. This is how bad teams remain bad.
Saints replace Williams with Maye: I understand the cap issues New Orleans was facing and how that played into them being unable to re-sign Marcus Williams. It’s the decision to give Marcus Maye an average of $9.5 mill a year when he’s missed 10 games in two separate seasons while only having been in the league for five years that doesn’t make any sense. Additionally, his 2021 season ended after tearing his Achilles. This draft isn’t loaded at Safety, but they could’ve landed a player with plenty of talent and potential in the middle rounds that didn’t come with this much injury baggage.
Washington’s trade for Wentz: Desperate teams do stupid things. Washington is desperate to get back to the playoffs, and Rivera and Mayhew are desperate to keep their jobs, that’s what sparked this ridiculous trade. Wentz’s ending in Philly had the opportunity to be dismissed as a one off thing, but after watching his late season collapse in Indy last year there really aren’t any excuses left. He’s not a premiere Quarterback, but they gave up draft capital and $28.2 million of their cap for him. They would’ve been better off drafting a rookie passer this year and running with them from the start.
UNDER-THE-RADAR
Jacksonville’s signing of Oluokun: Here’s a stat for you: Foye Oluokun, a traditional off-ball Linebacker, has had 309 total tackles, 5 sacks and 5 picks in the last two years combined. He’s been one of the most overlooked players at his position. Don’t sleep on him. He is the reason why Jacksonville was able to cut ties with Myles Jack.
Vegas’ signing of Nichols: More stats for you: Nichols posted 91 combined tackles and 8 combined sacks in the last two years. Now that he will be (should be?) stepping into a starting role he should be a breakout candidate to watch for. Out of all the moves the Raiders have made so far this offseason, this one is the biggest steal, especially on a two year, $11 million deal.
Most Refreshing: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins made quite a few moves and in off-season's past that usually means they threw a ton of money at a bunch of players that they WAY overvalued. Rest easy Miami fans because that was not the case this year. Terron Armstead is the only one that may end up under heavy speculation over the span of the 5 year deal due to his injury history, but when he’s healthy he is one of the best Left Tackles in the league. Beyond him they added Connor Williams to the O-Line, he at the very least will provide competition on the interior of Miami’s Line which needs to greatly improve if they want to compete in the AFC East. The Trade for Tyreek Hill gives them a premier Receiver who will help free up Waddle and open up the field for Tua. Adding Edmonds and Mostert to a rotational backfield that should look similar to what San Fran has shown since Shanahan took over was exactly what McDaniel needed. Bridgewater is a solid backup QB that they can turn to if Tua gets hurt or takes a step back, and he can help with Tua’s growth. And they snagged Cedrick Wilson for a little over $7 million a year. He’s my favorite signing they’ve made this offseason. He was given the opportunity to step in last year due to various injuries and he posted 600 yards and 6 touchdowns. I love his growth potential, although the Tyreek Hill trade muddies the water…perhaps they look to trade DeVante Parker?