NFL free agency recap
April 3, 2023
The height of free agency in the NFL has come and gone, meaning that teams have made most moves that will alter the landscape of a specific team or the entire league next season. But teams are still making some moves leading up to the draft in April, and there are still a few high-profile players whose futures remain unclear.
Once again, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the most talked about player during the NFL offseason. Another offseason means another round of question marks surrounding if, and where, the future Hall-of-Famer will play next season.
Rodgers announced that he wants to continue his playing career and suit up for the New York Jets. However, the process is not so simple: The Jets and Packers have yet to agree on trade terms that would send Rodgers to the Big Apple.
The Jets have made a handful of signings which indicate that they are prepared to have Rodgers taking the first snap when week one rolls around. Notably, the Jets signed Rodgers’ close friend and teammate in Green Bay, wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard was one of Rodgers’ favorite targets over the past couple of years.
The other big name that ESPN and other sports networks cannot stop talking about is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Jackson and the Ravens cannot agree on the terms of a contract extension, and the media is weighing in on whether Jackson should sit out the season and why teams do not seem interested in signing him. The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, which opens the door for other teams to negotiate with the dual-threat quarterback.
After heavy speculation, the Chicago Bears traded the number one overall pick in the upcoming 2023 draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for this year’s ninth overall pick, the 61st pick, a first round pick in 2024, a second round pick in 2025 and talented wide receiver D. J. Moore.
Out of a talented pool of quarterbacks, the Panthers will get the player they want leading their team for many future years. The Panthers have been preparing for their future quarterback to inherit a talented roster by adding players such as wide receiver Adam Thielen and running back Miles Sanders this offseason.
Other notable players relocating this offseason include superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who joined a talented Miami Dolphins defense via trade; star offensive lineman Orlando Brown, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals; cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who joined the Chicago Bears.
Safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson joined the Detroit Lions; tight end Darren Waller was traded to the New York Giants; wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster signed with the New England Patriots; offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey signed with the Denver Broncos and defensive tackle Jevon Hargrave signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
There have been other moves made since the offseason began, with more to come. It is possible that the most impactful addition this offseason could turn out to be none of the players mentioned above. Teams making moves and improving rosters in the offseason give fans so much excitement and hope leading up to opening kickoff in September.