As we all know, the offseason can be a rough time for all NFL fans. Followers of the sport go through a rollercoaster of emotions: Sadness the morning after the Super Bowl when they realise they will have to find something else to do for the next 30 Sundays, excitement when they believe your team will draft the next Tom Brady in the late rounds of the draft (and then the inevitable disappointment when not one pick goes to plan), sheer confusion when you realise you are looking forward to something as meaningless as training camp and preseason matches and finally, elation when the reigning Super Bowl champions kick off the NFL season on a Thursday night in September. The one thing that can keep fans going during this time is hope, hope that the team you follow will make a big trade for a superstar or find a diamond in the rough in free agency. Here, in no particular order, I will be looking at the five most exciting NFL offseason moves.
5 Biggest NFL Offseason Moves
Desean Jackson, Washington Redskins
A lot of controversy surrounded the former Philadelphia wide receiver, rumours swirled that coach Chip Kelly considered him a locker room distraction and links were being made to Jackson and gang members. Perhaps trying to avoid an Aaron Hernandez V.2, the Eagles cut him and he fell straight into the arms of their NFC East rivals. Jackson linking up with a rejuvenated RGIII is a scary prospect for opposing defences, especially if you will face them twice a year…
Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos
Talib thrived in New England, helping them to the AFC championship game and making his own case for the best CB in the league. Unfortunately for Patriots fans, this granted him a much deserved pay day which Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick were unwilling to give. The Broncos signed him to a 6 year, $57 million contract meaning the corner back will likely face off against his old team in the postseason.
Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots
During his time with the Jets, Revis caused Tom Brady and co a lot of problems. This meant that when the former AFC East rival became available via free agency, the Patriots couldn’t turn him down. The ‘shutdown corner’ struggled with the system in his time in Tampa, but he’s trying to prove that he has recovered from his ACL and that he is once again, the best in the game.
DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos
Denver pulled off another key signing during the summer, this time the veteran DE from Dallas. Questions remain about his injuries after coming off a career low 6-sack season. He will want to prove that he can still perform at the highest level, and he will certainly get a chance to do that. It will be interesting to see how he performs against teams and if he can bounce back considering Denver’s schedule is one of the toughest in the league .
Jairus Byrd, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans picked up arguably the best free agent in 2014. The 27 year old free safety formerly of Buffalo signed a 6 year, $56 million contract with the Saints which vastly improves their secondary and pairs him with Kenny Vaccaro. Byrd visited the Pro Bowl three times with the Bills, a side who haven’t reached the playoffs since 1999, so expect him to flourish in New Orleans under Rob Ryan and his exciting defensive schemes.
