NFL Off-Season 2023: Trades, Free Agency, Draft ETC

[SeaBreeze341]

I’m not one to be all-in when it comes to football year-round.  What I mean is that I’m not a fan of the XFL, USFL, spring/arena football, and so-on & so forth.  That’s nice that there is something for somebody, but as mentioned, I’m okay with waiting for the fall for the NFL season.


That being said, the NFL is a year-round business, and the news during the off season is enough to impress me.  No games other football leagues needed!

Similar to last year, there has been so much recent NFL news not one month removed from the Super Bowl, but roughly half a year away from the upcoming season.  From Rodgers’ possible Packers exit to Derek Carr’s move from the AFC to the NFC, it’s a sprinkle of what’s made the NFL more of a year-long product instead of 5 months in a 12-month period.

Basically the off-season features the Combine, Franchise Tag Day, Free Agency, The Draft, Schedule Release, and the Hall of Fame ceremonies.  Though recently, the HOF Day is now two days removed from the date of the HOF Game instead of the day before (with the induction still staying on Saturday).

So far the top stories include, but are not limited to:
Calvin Ridley’s reinstatement (and move to Jacksonville)
Aaron Rodgers possibly headed to the New York Jets
Derek Carr leaving the Las Vegas Raiders to lead the Carolina Panthers
Carson Wentz booted from Washington
Tom Brady calling it quits


Nothing’s super official until March 15; there is a legal tampering period ahead of that (which starts any second).  The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 27 and will last until April 29.  May 11 could be the schedule release.  Other than that, really everything stays the same in terms of the date NFL events occur; just subtract one from the previous year’s date (or add 30 or 31)

[SeaBreeze341]

Some more off-season headlines:
Former Kansas City OC Eric Bienemy heads to Washington
Vance Joseph returns to Denver
Lamar Jackson tagged
Jalen Ramsey heads to Miami
Mac Jones is getting paid
Former Colts & Lions HC Jim Caldwell returns as Carolina’s Offensive assistant
Carolina obtains Chicago’s Number One Overall Pick
Brody Purdy's surgery was a success.  About a 3-month timeframe before he throws again
Dolphins picking up Tua's 5th-year option

One thing I'll say about Tom Brady: As mentioned during the season, it's a case of "I'll believe it when I see it" for TB12.  However, I think it's more legitimate this time.  On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if he changed his mind.  With all of the moves & activity, it would be ideal for Tom to return for a 24th year.  Unlike last season, he's no longer under contract with Tampa.  So places like San Francisco & Miami are possible.  Not sure about Las Vegas.  Unless those are the landing spots, he'll stay retired (though New England & Tennessee might be nice wiildcards). 


Free Agency is official on 03/15/2023 at 4:00 Easter Time

[JayC]

Derek Carr leaving the Las Vegas Raiders to lead the Carolina Panthers

Derek Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints, not the Panthers.

Jimmy Garoppolo is also off the board as he will sign a 3 year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

[Ccook]

Falcons cut QB Marcus Mariota. It looks like it's Desmond Ridder's ship to sail unless Atlanta drafts a QB that proves himself better.

[SeaBreeze341]

Derek Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints, not the Panthers.

Jimmy Garoppolo is also off the board as he will sign a 3 year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Yeah I had Carolina on my mind due to the Panthers big trade with Chicago, coupled with the fact that Derek was linked/rumored to go with them some time back.  Thanks, but I am unable to edit/correct my post (due to the forum settings, I needed to catch that within 10 minutes of the post publishing).

Really, the entire AFC South is changing in terms of the most important position, including the mentioned Brady and Atlanta with Mariota's exit.  So that adds to the confusion too.

While there's a connection between McDaniels & Jimmy G, I don't know if I'm a fan of that move.  Several people know who Jimmy G is, especially his injury history.

Two more big deals, per Adam Schefter.  One benefits the Steelers, and the other benefits the Falcons.  Both are okay, at least on paper.  Since I can't link to them, it's Patrick Peterson going to Pittsburgh, and Jessie Bates heading to Atlanta

[Ccook]

Falcons acquire QB Taylor Heinicke from Houston. He played with Washington and Carolina prior and has a 34-24 TD-to-INT ratio in six seasons. Opinions on Facebook are highly divided.

Related: The Colts plan on cutting QB Matt Ryan. There is scuttlebutt he'll return to Atlanta.

[SeaBreeze341]

Dallas acquiring Stephon Gilmore from Indianapolis

[SeaBreeze341]

Couple of notes, including a very big and rather belated one:

Dan Snyder finally sells the Washington NFL franchise (at least the plan is there), AND OBJ is going to Baltimore (no Washington for the former NYC and LA star).

Speaking of Baltimore, no word on what's next for Lamar & his future in Baltimore.  And speaking of a lack of a future, Aaron Rodgers as a Jet isn't a super safe bet.

[SeaBreeze341]

Sporting News is one of many places to go if you want to learn the details of Eagles QB & NFC Champion Jalen Hurts record contract extension.

On a totally separate note, I forgot to mention that Sean Payton is returning to coaching (but yet somehow brought up Vance Joseph instead); Payton's NFL return may (or may not) help out Russell & Denver within the AFC West

[Ccook]

Aaron Rodgers is on his way to New York to be a Jet. Green Bay and New York will swap first round draft picks, and Green Bay gets a second and sixth round pick as well as an unconditional second round pick next year.

[imhomerjay]

And the dumpster fire known as the Jets continues to burn.

[SeaBreeze341]

Not much of a surprise with Bryce Young's name being the first of about two and a half dozen called/heard tonight.  I believe he's the first Alabama (QB) taken first overall.  That would be modern era.  In case the 2021 Heisman winner didn't go to Carolina, Bama always had Broadway Joe to fill that honor before 1970 of course

[Ccook]

Analysts said two-time national champion QB Stetson Bennett was considered undraftable after his Dallas antics back in January. The Rams draft him where he'll be Matthew Stafford's backup.

[SeaBreeze341]

In this year's NFL International Series, Jacksonville will play back to back games.  First time in the 16-Year history someone's playing twice outside America, I believe.


Key matchups that were announced on Wednesday (prior to a day where everything will be disclosed) include:

Dolphins at Jets (11/24/2023): First Black Friday Amazon Prime Game
Niners at Eagles (12/03/2023): NFC Title Game rematch during Week 13
Giants at Eagles (12/25/2023): That's the final Monday of the calendar year
Bengals at Chiefs (12/31/2023): Same time of year about, but first regular one at Arrowhead


Edited to add

Chiefs hosting Detroit in the first game
Jets vs Bills to close out Week One

[Superballer]

One would assume the Super Bowl LVII rematch will be comparatively early in the season, so they can get it in when both Kansas City and Philadelphia both still unquestionably would look good.  In the meantime, given there's been a Cowboys-Eagles game on Sunday night for the last 15 years, I see no reason that ends this season with both teams having made the playoffs last year, so we can expect that too.