As is perennially the case in the NFL offseason, some teams get better and some get worse, at least on paper. But until the games kick off in September, that's all any of us has -- is the paper -- to gauge progre sion or regre sion. And, with that, the calendar turns to mid-June and mandatory minicamps get underway, marking a perfect time to take a look around the NFC and determine what
Udoka Azubuike Jersey moves and/or decisions stand out as the best of their respective bunch.In an offseason owned by a roller coaster of wild news, e.g., blockbuster trades, retirement and unretirement, unexpected releases and mega-deal free agency acquisitions, there is at least one shining achievement for each team in a conference that was as competitive in 2021 as it's ever been. With just over one month remaining to training camp, the NFC is ready to reload for dominance.Best move: Appeasing This was the biggest no-brainer of the offseason for the Rams, and they handled it perfectly. Donald wasn't simply threatening to retire as a means of leveraging for a new contract -- he was seriously considering it. But the Rams not only remained optimistic, they didn't play the PR game (e.g., "there are only so many slices in a pie") with their future Hall of Famer, nor did they lowball him into hanging up his cleats. Instead, they quietly got a ma sive new contract done to keep Donald in a Rams uniform for years to come, awarding him what equates to quarterback money in the proce s. Now they can move on to still-important but le s pre sing matters.Best move: Bowing to Say what you want about Rodgers, but you can't say he's not the single most important factor to the Packers continuing to remain in contention going forward. Yes, it's now two consecutive postseasons in which he and his compatriots have unceremoniously fallen flat on their faces, but imagine what the Packers would (or rather, would not) be
Andrei Kirilenko Jersey if he were to part ways with the club. To avoid that QB purgatory, or outright Hell, the team acquiesced in 2021 and then took a hands-off approach in 2022 to let their legend find his way back to their locker room on his own time -- then giving him a hefty new contract as a "thank you." Best move: Wooing backWell, yea, this is obviously the key move of the Buccaneers' offseason, and one that saves them from returning to the ranks of mediocrity or worse in 2022. Brady retired for all of 97 seconds in ant years, immediately unretiring to reclaim his throne in Tampa and allow the team to then turn their eyes to the eventual change at head coach and their current pursuit of , Brady's brother-in-arms who has yet to commit to playing for anyone next season. But as long as Brady is in uniform, combined with an extension given to a healing , you can bet the Bucs are eyeing another Super Bowl appearance, as opposed to the team having to digest the lie that there was a replacement in the wings for the greatest QB of all-time.Best move: Re-signing It's been an offseason to forget for the Cowboys, both on and off of the field. It's not been a total lo s though, with some key re-signings saving them from abject failure. From the retention of breakout safety and Pro Bowl punter , there are positives to be found in Dallas, but the best move would have to be awarding Gallup a five-year deal, one made that much more important by the decision to trade followed by the unexpected free agency lo s of Cedrick Wilson. as Gallup rehabs from a torn ACL, but without Gallup's eventual return, a once robust WR group in Dallas would basically just be Lamb and "those other guys" (barring a breakout year by someone like ); and particularly if things .Best move: Acquiring Marquise "Hollywood" BrownWhen the 2022 NFL Draft rolled around, the Cardinals has a
NBA Utah Jazz Jeresy surprise in store for everyone. They pulled the trigger on a deal to acquire former first-round pick from the , then picking up his fifth-year option for 2023. The move not only reunites Brown with fellow former first-round pick , the two having spent time together making plays at Oklahoma, but also gives instant insurance against the suspension of All-Pro receiver -- who will serve a six-game ban for violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. And when Hopkins does return, Murray will presumably have one of the most potent WR duos in the NFL, so bravo to the Cardinals for making such a move. Best move: Not trading Typically when a star player makes a demand to be traded, they get their way, at least in recent seasons. That's because said player could stage a holdout through training camp and into the season, if they were so inclined, but the installation of a new CBA in 2020 e sentially put an end to that type of player leveraging. So when Samuel saw his trade demand ignored, he knew he had to make a decision that would either save or cost him a lot of money, and he's now after sitting out voluntary OTAs due to his contract dispute. The 49ers didn't budge an inch and, because of their conviction (with an a sist from the CBA), it looks like they'll keep their
Kyle Korver Jersey most important offensive weapon in tow for 2022.Best move: Acquiring Speaking of draft day surprises, the Eagles one-upped everyone as it relates to the trade market, absolutely stunning the league by convincing the to send Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown to Philadelphia. It wasn't long before the trade that head coach Mike Vrabel unequivocally stated there would be no trade at all on Brown, but so much for that bullet point. In acquiring Brown, and subsequently giving him a multi-year contract, the Eagles give quarterback a nuclear weapon opposite an already high-ceiling talent in former Heisman winner , and the QB job is now truly Hurts' to lose going forward. He took a big step in 2021, and an even bigger one is expected in 2022 -- with the addition of Brown and another year under Nick Sirianni.Best move: Re-signing Drew Brees isn't walking through that door again,
Derrick Favors Jersey or at least that's what the odds say, despite the future Hall of Fame quarterback teasing a po sible return from retirement after leaving the game following the 2020 season. The Saints can't afford to plan for such a thing, so they made the smart move to re-sign Winston on a two-year deal, a player that will either serve as a bridge to the future or become the future himself, although he is working himself back from a season-ending torn ACL suffered last season. But without Winston, who got off to a blazing start in 2021, the Saints were victims of their own offensive ineptitude, and overpaying to acquire via trade seemed far-fetched after losing the race. Winston is familiar, capable and doesn't cost both arms and legs. Best move: Acquiring In what was quite the coup from Minnesota, they were able to stick it to the rival Packers a bit by convincing Smith to not leave
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