The NFL offseason is always filled with surprises. Every team is looking to make the necessary moves to improve their chances of winning the Super Bowl the following season. Some teams make great decisions, while other moves leave fans scratching their heads. In this article, we will delve into the most puzzling moves made by each NFL team this offseason.
Arizona Cardinals – Not signing a veteran cornerback
The Cardinals had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last season. Despite having a young and talented secondary, they still needed to improve their cornerback position. The team had the opportunity to sign veteran cornerback Richard Sherman, but ultimately decided to pass. It remains to be seen if their young cornerbacks will be able to step up and improve the defense.
Atlanta Falcons – Not drafting a quarterback
With the fourth overall pick in the draft, many expected the Falcons to draft a quarterback to eventually take over for Matt Ryan. However, they chose to go with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts instead. While Pitts is a great player, it raises questions about the future of the quarterback position in Atlanta.
Baltimore Ravens – Signing Sammy Watkins
The Ravens have been in desperate need of a reliable wide receiver for years. However, they chose to sign Sammy Watkins, who has had injury issues and hasn’t put up big numbers in recent seasons. It remains to be seen if the signing will make a significant impact on the offense.
Buffalo Bills – Not addressing the pass rush
Despite having one of the best defenses in the league last season, the Bills struggled with their pass rush. They chose not to address the issue in free agency or the draft, which could prove to be a mistake if they want to take the next step and win the Super Bowl.
Carolina Panthers – Trading for Sam Darnold
The Panthers traded three draft picks to the New York Jets for quarterback Sam Darnold. While Darnold has potential, he hasn’t been consistent and could struggle in a new system. It remains to be seen if the trade was worth it for the Panthers.
Chicago Bears – Drafting Justin Fields
The Bears made one of the most highly debated moves of the offseason by trading up to draft Justin Fields. While Fields has a lot of potential, many question whether he is ready to start in the NFL and if the Bears made the right move giving up draft capital to acquire him.
Cincinnati Bengals – Not addressing the offensive line
The Bengals have one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league with Joe Burrow. However, they didn’t do much to address their offensive line this offseason, which was a major issue last season and contributed to Burrow’s season-ending injury.
Cleveland Browns – Signing Jadeveon Clowney
The Browns have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league with Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon. However, they chose to sign Jadeveon Clowney in free agency, who has struggled with injuries and hasn’t had a double-digit sack season since 2018. It remains to be seen if he will make a significant impact on the defense.
Dallas Cowboys – Signing Dak Prescott to a long-term deal
The Cowboys finally signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a long-term deal worth $160 million. While Prescott is a talented quarterback, it raises questions about whether the Cowboys should have invested that much money in a quarterback coming off a serious injury.
Denver Broncos – Passing on Justin Fields
The Broncos had the opportunity to draft Justin Fields with the ninth overall pick but chose to go with cornerback Patrick Surtain instead. While Surtain is a talented player, the Broncos are still searching for a franchise quarterback and passing on Fields could come back to haunt them.
Detroit Lions – Not addressing the wide receiver position
The Lions traded away their top receiver, Kenny Golladay, and failed to address the position in free agency or the draft. It remains to be seen if any of their young receivers will be able to step up and fill the void left by Golladay.
Green Bay Packers – Drafting Jordan Love
The Packers shocked the world last year by drafting quarterback Jordan Love in the first round despite having Aaron Rodgers still in his prime. While Love has potential, it raises questions about the Packers’ long-term plan and whether they’ll be able to keep Rodgers happy.
Houston Texans – Not trading Deshaun Watson
The Texans have been in a state of turmoil this offseason with star quarterback Deshaun Watson demanding a trade. Despite the off-field issues, the Texans have not traded Watson, leaving the team in a state of uncertainty.
Indianapolis Colts – Signing Carson Wentz
The Colts traded for quarterback Carson Wentz, who has struggled in recent seasons and was benched last year in Philadelphia. While Wentz has shown he can be a talented player, it raises questions about whether he can regain his form and lead the Colts to the playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Signing Tim Tebow
The Jaguars signed Tim Tebow to a one-year deal to play tight end. While Tebow has a connection with head coach Urban Meyer, it remains to be seen if he can make an impact on an NFL roster after not playing in the league for several years.
Kansas City Chiefs – Cutting Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz
The Chiefs made a startling move by cutting both starting offensive tackles, Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, who both played a major role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win just two seasons ago. It remains to be seen if their replacements can protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes effectively.
Las Vegas Raiders – Signing Kenyan Drake
The Raiders already had a Pro Bowl running back in Josh Jacobs, but they chose to sign Kenyan Drake to a two-year deal worth $11 million. It raises questions about how the Raiders plan to use both running backs and whether the signing was necessary.
Los Angeles Chargers – Signing Corey Linsley
The Chargers signed center Corey Linsley to a massive five-year deal worth $62.5 million. While Linsley is a talented player, it raises questions about whether the Chargers should have invested that much money in a center when they have other holes to fill on their roster.
Los Angeles Rams – Trading Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford
The Rams shocked the league by trading starting quarterback Jared Goff and draft picks for Matthew Stafford. While Stafford is a talented player, it remains to be seen whether the trade was worth it, given the amount of draft capital the Rams gave up to acquire him.
Miami Dolphins – Drafting Jaylen Waddle
The Dolphins had the opportunity to draft a top-tier offensive lineman to protect young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa but instead chose to draft wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. While Waddle has potential, it raises questions about the Dolphins’ long-term plan and their ability to protect Tagovailoa.
Minnesota Vikings – Not addressing the defense
The Vikings had one of the worst defenses in the league last season and failed to address the issue in the offseason. It remains to be seen if the team’s young defensive players can step up and make a significant impact.
New England Patriots – Signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne
The Patriots signed both Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to significant deals in free agency. While both players are talented, it raises questions about whether the Patriots overpaid for their services.
New Orleans Saints – Drafting Ian Book
The Saints had the opportunity to draft a top quarterback to eventually replace Drew Brees. However, they chose to draft Ian Book, a quarterback who many experts believe is a developmental project. It remains to be seen if Book will be able to develop into a starter in the NFL.
New York Giants – Signing Kenny Golladay
The Giants signed wide receiver Kenny Golladay to a massive four-year deal worth $72 million. While Golladay is a talented player, it raises questions about whether the Giants overpaid for his services and whether he can stay healthy.
New York Jets – Trading Sam Darnold
Despite trading for quarterback Sam Darnold just a few seasons ago, the Jets chose to trade him away to the Panthers. It remains to be seen if the trade was worth it and if the Jets can find their next franchise quarterback.
Philadelphia Eagles – Drafting DeVonta Smith
The Eagles had the opportunity to draft a top-tier offensive lineman to protect young quarterback Jalen Hurts. However, they chose to draft wide receiver DeVonta Smith instead. While Smith is a talented player, it raises questions about the Eagles’ long-term plan and their ability to protect Hurts.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster
The Steelers chose to re-sign wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal, despite having a crowded receiving corps and other needs on their roster. It raises questions about whether the Steelers should have invested that money elsewhere and whether Smith-Schuster will be able to produce at a high level.
San Francisco 49ers – Trading up for Trey Lance
The 49ers made one of the most shocking moves of the offseason by trading up to draft quarterback Trey Lance with the third overall pick. While Lance has potential, it raises questions about whether he is ready to start in the NFL and if the 49ers overpaid to acquire him.
Seattle Seahawks – Not addressing the offensive line
The Seahawks have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Russell Wilson but have struggled to protect him in recent years. However, they failed to address their offensive line in the offseason, which could prove to be a mistake if they want to make a deep playoff run.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Not addressing the running back position
The Buccaneers re-signed most of their key players from their Super Bowl win last season but failed to address the running back position, which was a weakness on their roster. It remains to be seen if the team can find a reliable running back to complement Tom Brady and their high-powered offense.
Tennessee Titans – Signing Bud Dupree
The Titans signed edge rusher Bud Dupree to a massive deal worth $82.5 million. While Dupree is a talented player, it raises questions about whether the Titans overpaid for his services and if he can come back from his season-ending ACL injury.
Washington Football Team – Signing Ryan Fitzpatrick
The Football Team signed veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year deal. While Fitzpatrick is a reliable quarterback, it raises questions about the team’s long-term plan at the position and whether they should have invested in a younger quarterback instead.
In conclusion, every team made moves this offseason that could either prove beneficial or harmful to their chances of winning in the upcoming season. Some of these moves were puzzling, while others have clear reasons behind them. Only time will tell which teams made the best decisions and which moves will leave fans scratching their heads.
