The moment the clock strikes 0:00 during the Superbowl and the defending champions celebration has ended football fans have one thing on their mind… free agency. Free agency is where the magic happens. You will see big deals, major trades, and the change of the league's new powerhouses. This offseason has been nothing short of stunning. So let's get started.
If you checked out my last article then you already know that Antonio Brown has been traded to the Raiders. This is a major game changer for the Raiders, and will truly be a great offensive weapon for Carr to utilize. Most people thought that would be the biggest trade of the off season. But what if I told you this wasn’t the biggest wide receiver trade of the off season. Days after the Antonio Brown move the Browns made the boldest move of the year.
They traded Jabrill Peppers, a first round pick, and a third round pick for Odell Beckham JR. That's right the young star reciever who is only 26 with an immense amount of talent and is a top 10 receiver in the league will join Baker Mayfield on the Browns.
Despite the GM going out of his way to say they won’t trade Odell, they did it anyway. In the end it is a business. Now the Cleveland Browns the worst team in the NFL just 2 years ago now look like legitimate contenders. This choice expands their offense and gives them one of the best receiving corps in the NFL. Jarvis Landry, OBJ, Nick Chubb, Baker Mayfield, and David Njoku. Seems too good to be true for Browns fans. But this is reality.
On the other hand the Giants got a young stud at safety with Jabrill Peppers and a first round pick to work with. Still the question has to be asked, what were the Giants thinking? They have just given away one of their youngest and biggest playmakers in a time they needed him the most. Now the Giants definitely lost this trade but the only way they can make it worthwhile is if they put that first round pick to use. But until we see how that works out I have the Browns winning this trade.
After this big trade everyone turned their eyes to Le'veon Bell. Bell has been the talking point all offseason after he decided to sit out the entire 2018-2019 season with the Steelers for a bigger offseason guarantee deal, and boy did he get it. After a long decision process Bell has decided to join the New York Jets. The Jets were the ones with the most cap space out of all the people pursuing Bell. But most people thought Bell would go to a contending team since the Jets were only 4-12 last year and have been rebuilding for a while. But despite this Le’veon expressed how excited he is to be joining the Jets. Despite the record the past few years New York has been making some moves with the signing of all-pro CJ Mosley, WR Josh Bellamy, SS Brain Poole, and WR Jamison Crowder. These major signings might have played a huge factor into Bell’s decision to come to the Jets. With Darnold, Bell, Mosley, and Adams leading this new Jets squad don’t be surprised if this team becomes a playoff dark horse.
There weren’t many QB’s on the market this year besides one big one… Nick Foles. Super Bowl LII MVP and champion. Nick is a proven veteran who has showed his poise in the big moments and under pressure. Many teams were in need of a QB this offseason but the Jacksonville Jaguars won the Foles sweepstakes. The Jaguars have been in need of a QB for a while after Blake Bortles turned out to be a bust for Jacksonville. Just two years ago the Jaguars made it to the AFC championship game and were expected to be a new dynasty in the AFC for years to come. Unfortunately for the Jags those hopes were washed away with a 5-11 record last year. Last year the offense for the Jags was atrocious and couldn’t get the ball past the 50 yard line most games. It didn’t help that Fournette was injured for almost the whole season, and the receivers were dropping a lot of passes throughout games. But the Jags needed a new face undercounter to help with the teams confidence and expand their passing game to more than just checkdowns. With Nick Foles’ deep passing accuracy and decision making he could be just the thing the Jags need.
There have been many other moves in free agency such as Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas to the Ravens. This is a huge upgrade on defense for the Ravens and Ingram could be a difference maker for the Ravens on offense. Former Raven Eric Weddle signed with the Rams, Dee Ford was traded to the Niners, and Desean Jackson got traded back to the Eagles. This is the right way for Jackson to end his career. He rejoins the city he has been connected to for so long. So far this free agency hasn’t been a disappointment and this only makes fans excited for the new year as we see familiar faces in new places.
If you checked out my last article then you already know that Antonio Brown has been traded to the Raiders. This is a major game changer for the Raiders, and will truly be a great offensive weapon for Carr to utilize. Most people thought that would be the biggest trade of the off season. But what if I told you this wasn’t the biggest wide receiver trade of the off season. Days after the Antonio Brown move the Browns made the boldest move of the year.
They traded Jabrill Peppers, a first round pick, and a third round pick for Odell Beckham JR. That's right the young star reciever who is only 26 with an immense amount of talent and is a top 10 receiver in the league will join Baker Mayfield on the Browns.
Despite the GM going out of his way to say they won’t trade Odell, they did it anyway. In the end it is a business. Now the Cleveland Browns the worst team in the NFL just 2 years ago now look like legitimate contenders. This choice expands their offense and gives them one of the best receiving corps in the NFL. Jarvis Landry, OBJ, Nick Chubb, Baker Mayfield, and David Njoku. Seems too good to be true for Browns fans. But this is reality.
On the other hand the Giants got a young stud at safety with Jabrill Peppers and a first round pick to work with. Still the question has to be asked, what were the Giants thinking? They have just given away one of their youngest and biggest playmakers in a time they needed him the most. Now the Giants definitely lost this trade but the only way they can make it worthwhile is if they put that first round pick to use. But until we see how that works out I have the Browns winning this trade.
After this big trade everyone turned their eyes to Le'veon Bell. Bell has been the talking point all offseason after he decided to sit out the entire 2018-2019 season with the Steelers for a bigger offseason guarantee deal, and boy did he get it. After a long decision process Bell has decided to join the New York Jets. The Jets were the ones with the most cap space out of all the people pursuing Bell. But most people thought Bell would go to a contending team since the Jets were only 4-12 last year and have been rebuilding for a while. But despite this Le’veon expressed how excited he is to be joining the Jets. Despite the record the past few years New York has been making some moves with the signing of all-pro CJ Mosley, WR Josh Bellamy, SS Brain Poole, and WR Jamison Crowder. These major signings might have played a huge factor into Bell’s decision to come to the Jets. With Darnold, Bell, Mosley, and Adams leading this new Jets squad don’t be surprised if this team becomes a playoff dark horse.
There weren’t many QB’s on the market this year besides one big one… Nick Foles. Super Bowl LII MVP and champion. Nick is a proven veteran who has showed his poise in the big moments and under pressure. Many teams were in need of a QB this offseason but the Jacksonville Jaguars won the Foles sweepstakes. The Jaguars have been in need of a QB for a while after Blake Bortles turned out to be a bust for Jacksonville. Just two years ago the Jaguars made it to the AFC championship game and were expected to be a new dynasty in the AFC for years to come. Unfortunately for the Jags those hopes were washed away with a 5-11 record last year. Last year the offense for the Jags was atrocious and couldn’t get the ball past the 50 yard line most games. It didn’t help that Fournette was injured for almost the whole season, and the receivers were dropping a lot of passes throughout games. But the Jags needed a new face undercounter to help with the teams confidence and expand their passing game to more than just checkdowns. With Nick Foles’ deep passing accuracy and decision making he could be just the thing the Jags need.
There have been many other moves in free agency such as Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas to the Ravens. This is a huge upgrade on defense for the Ravens and Ingram could be a difference maker for the Ravens on offense. Former Raven Eric Weddle signed with the Rams, Dee Ford was traded to the Niners, and Desean Jackson got traded back to the Eagles. This is the right way for Jackson to end his career. He rejoins the city he has been connected to for so long. So far this free agency hasn’t been a disappointment and this only makes fans excited for the new year as we see familiar faces in new places.