What a crazy two weeks for the NFL! There have been some teams that have made some big moves to kick off the NFL offseason, moves that will change the course of the team’s success for better or for worse. Today I am going to give some of the biggest transactions this offseason a letter grade, and give an early outlook on the long term repercussions of each blockbuster trade and signing.
Russell Wilson to Broncos
Trade Details:
Broncos receive: Russell Wilson, this year’s fourth round pick
Seahawks receive: No. 9 overall pick this year and a 2023 first round pick; No. 40 overall pick this year and a 2023 second round pick, this year’s fifth round pick, tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock and defensive end Shelby Harris.
Broncos Grade: B
The Broncos finally found their answer at quarterback, giving them a legit threat at the position for the first time since Peyton Manning’s retirement. While they did give up a lot to get Russ, the Broncos are a team built to win now. Giving up Noah Fant and Shelby Harris hurts, but it will be much easier to replace them in this year’s draft than find a QB of the future this year. This QB class is very underwhelming, and all of the QB prospects this year are best suited in a situation where they can sit behind a veteran QB and learn for a year. The Broncos have a lot of exciting pieces for Russ to work with in Javonte Williams, Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Now that they have an elite guy commanding the offense, they are ready to contend in the tough AFC West and hopefully for another Super Bowl.
Seahawks Grade: A
The Seahawks are finally beginning their rebuild and ending the Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson era, one that lasted a decade and was highly successful. The Seahawks received a lot of draft capital back for Russ, which will make up for some of the assets they gave up in the now disastrous Jamal Adams trade. The player value they received back is solid as well. While Drew Lock is obviously not a long term option at quarterback to replace Russ, he leaves them a viable bridge option until they draft a guy this or next year, similar to Jared Goff’s role on the Lions currently. Noah Fant is a very underrated pickup for Seattle, I think he has the potential to be a top 5 tight end if he gets a reliable quarterback under center. I really like this package the Seahawks received.
Overall, I think both teams came out very well in this deal. The Broncos made an aggressive move to contend, and the Seahawks received a huge package to kick start their rebuild. I believe the Broncos could have given up one or two less picks/players, but overall still a very solid deal on both sides.
Khalil Mack to Chargers
Trade Details:
Chargers receive: Khalil Mack
Bears receive: 2022 second round pick, 2023 sixth round pick
Chargers Grade: B
Adding Mack to an already solid defense makes the Chargers a legit threat to win the AFC West next season. They got Mack at a pretty cheap price compared to what his value was in 2018, and while Mack is 31 and has been subject to injuries recently, his production on the field when healthy is still a nightmare for offenses to face. In limited production, he had 19 tackles, six tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits. He is still a force to be reckoned with if he can see the field all 17 games. The Chargers are taking a small risk acquiring him with his injury history, but for the bargain they got him for, it is worth it.
Bears Grade: C
By trading Mack away, the Bears are signaling the beginning of a new era. Choosing to move on makes sense for the team, the squad reached its peak in 2018 and Mack is 31 and injury prone. He is likely past his prime. However, the return the Bears received was underwhelming in my opinion. With Mack’s all pro resume, I feel he could have commanded more draft capital (a third instead of a sixth, an additional late round pick, etc.). I understand he is not worth what he was in 2018, but this deal seemed rushed to me. It seemed like Ryan Poles picked the first offer, not the best offer.
Aaron Rodgers signs huge four year extension
Signing Details: $150.8M for three years, fully guaranteed for the first two years
Signing Grade: D
After all the rumors, it’s now official that Rodgers will be in Green Bay for the near future. I don’t really understand the Packers plan in the front office. They have basically admitted that Jordan Love is a bust by locking up a 38 year old Rodgers to this length of a deal, and this contract makes it harder to build around Rodgers and give him more pieces in free agency. Based on the recent pattern of early playoff exits, this team has reached its ceiling, and I think this contract will prove to be a mistake.
Raiders trade for Davante Adams, make him highest paid receiver
Trade Details:
Raiders receive: Davante Adams
Packers receive: 2022 first and second round picks
Raiders Grade: A
With every team in the AFC West making big moves, it’s only fitting that the Raiders join in the party. Derek Carr finally gets a number one receiver, something the Raiders have struggled to provide him with (although Hunter Renfrow was solid last year, respectably.) Adams will sign a new five-year, $141.25M contract, and with someone of his caliber, that money is well deserved. They only had to give up two high picks for this year only, so their long term future is still kept intact. Very aggressive and smart move by the Raiders here.
Packers Grade: D
On one hand, the Packers get a good return for their star receiver and can do a bit of retooling for the future. On the other hand, this move makes no sense. Paying Rodgers all that money to have nobody to throw the ball to. This once again proves that Aaron Rodgers elite play has bailed out the front office for being exposed as the clown show it truly is. Adams should have been paid by the Packers, it would have made more sense to trade Rodgers or give him a short term deal, but the Packers are stuck in some sort of fantasy land.
Deshaun Watson traded to Browns, given new five-year $230M contract
Trade Details:
Browns receive: Deshaun Watson, 2024 fifth round pick
Texans receive: 2022, 2023, 2024 first round picks, 2023 third round pick, 2024 fourth round pick
Browns Grade: C
The Baker Mayfield era has officially come to an end with the Browns stunning trade for Watson, starting a new, exciting era at quarterback for Cleveland. But was getting Watson worth the price they paid? They gave Watson the largest guaranteed contract ever, and gave up all immediate future draft capital to get him. This will make it very difficult to build around him, so the Browns better hope that the current roster is capable of winning a Super Bowl without addition. The contract they dished is also insane to me given there are still many uncertainties with Watson’s legal situation. He could still face a lengthy suspension, and to dish out that much money for someone who may be a legal risk is not smart in my opinion. While Watson’s talent on the field makes him a top five quarterback, his risks outweigh the rewards if they do not win a Super Bowl and his new contract makes that hard to accomplish. I think the Browns overpaid here.
Texans Grade: A
Wow. The Texans received one of the largest trade packages in NFL history for Watson, officially beginning a new era for them. Even with Watson’s baggage surrounding his legal issues, they were still able to receive the initial package they desired, in which GM Nick Caserio deserves a ton of credit for being able to pull the strings for this deal. If the Texans play their cards right and draft well, they can see if they have a hidden gem in Davis Mills, and if they don’t they can move on with no additional setbacks in 2023. I see this as an absolute win for Houston, and a jumpstart for their new, bright future.
How do you grade the moves made this offseason? Let me know in the comments.