Offseason Moves That Would Instantly Flip The Fortunes Of Five NFL Teams
Updated: Jun 28, 2023
Now that the 2022 season is behind us, NFL teams are gearing up to make moves in what should be an interesting offseason ahead. With a few interesting free agents, draft prospects, and personnel changes, there should be no shortage of action this offseason.
Here are some game-changing moves that these five non-playoff teams can make this offseason.
Colts Move Up For Bryce Young
Indianapolis Colts have had a bad four-year stretch when it comes to finding a franchise quarterback since Andrew Luck retired after the 2018 season. They have used those years to find “filler” QBs that most likely were on the opposite end of their primes. For the first couple of years, it seemed to work “just enough”. They would have nine and eleven-win seasons with QBs like Carson Wentz and Phillip Rivers before crashing this season with only three wins that featured a combo of Matt Ryan, Nick Foles, and Sam Ehlinger.
It’s no secret that they need a young (no pun intended) franchise QB, and they need one now. The hiring of former Eagles’ offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as head coach will only help in the young QB’s development, as he was key in the development of fellow former Crimson Tide (and Sooner) QB Jalen Hurts. With the fourth pick in the draft, the Colts are in a prime position to get one. But should they just get “one”, or should they get the one? Colts owner Jim Irsay stated Tuesday that he loves Bryce Young, which indirectly says that is the guy for them.
From #Colts coach Shane Steichen's presser: — Jim Irsay said they wanted an offensive coach, "Knowing we're going to have to find a young QB to develop." — Irsay: "The Alabama (Bryce Young) guy doesn't look bad. — Steichen: "We're gonna throw to score points and run to win." — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 14, 2023
Will he be available at four? Most likely not. Barring unforeseen changes between now and April, he will most likely be picked within the first two picks, and it would be a miracle for Young to fall to Indianapolis. The Colts cannot rely on miracles at this point. They need to get their guy. Their guy would cost a couple of draft picks, but it would surely give the Colts organization and fanbase a potential answer to their Quarterback issues.
Raiders Move Up For CJ Stroud
The Colts are not the only team that needs to grab their franchise QB in this draft, as the Las Vegas Raiders will get in line now that Derek Carr has been released. The Raiders acquired all-pro wideout Davante Adams to pair with his old college teammate Carr and gave Adams a chunky contract in the process. It seems like Adams will stick around for a bit, possibly to see if he can help attract a franchise QB. If they’re unable to make a move to land a veteran QB like his former teammate Aaron Rodgers, there’s no doubt they’ll make every attempt to get their guy in the draft.
CJ Stroud wants to team up with #Raiders WR Davante Adams He doesn’t say it outright, but he says he wants to play with @ochocinco’s favorite route runner in football (which he said was Davante Adams) pic.twitter.com/FzJYxkjnKt — JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 14, 2023
Would the Cardinals make a move to trade back from pick number three? Right now, Arizona doesn’t look too hot. It sounds weird since it’s always hot in Arizona, but the Cardinals organization is in a pickle. Future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt retired, DeAndre Hopkins wants out, and Brian Flores backed out of the Cardinals coaching prospect carousel. That’s not a good look. Not only that, but Kyler Murray is going to miss most of the season recovering from his knee injury. That is a lot for a team that was already struggling to put together a winning team.
While the number three pick should help, they will need to make a lot more moves than that and it starts with the haul they could get back from trying to move back in the draft. The Raiders should capitalize on this opportunity and do what they can to grab a top signal-caller if they have no luck signing or trading for a veteran QB.
Aaron Rodgers To Jets
It feels like the New York Jets have needed a QB for a while, and they have tried several times to find one. Now they have put together a competitive team under head coach Robert Saleh, but are still one piece away. With Zach Wilson needing more time to develop, they need to make a move for an established QB now.
The hiring of Nathaniel Hackett could help Rodgers be a little more willing to cooperate with a potential trade. The price also shouldn’t be abnormally high to make a move for him. Many teams may not want to pay almost $50M per year to a 39-year-old quarterback with question marks, as talented as he is, while also giving up too many additional assets.
"When you get someone like Aaron Rodgers, you immediately become a contender. Knowing what we had last year and what we put on film, we know we're close. If we get someone like him, I immediately expect to be there." —@nyjets WR Garrett Wilson pic.twitter.com/LVcpRkgzxd — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 8, 2023
The price tag would appear as an issue to some franchises, but owner Woody Johnson has stated that he will do what it takes to land a veteran QB like Rodgers. Rodgers would be surrounded by the most complete supporting cast he has ever had. The Jets have done an excellent job with their recent drafts and now have a strong wide receiver room, a strong running back room, and a strong defense. All they need is a QB1 to take them over the top. Thanks to them nailing the past few drafts, they’ll have extra picks to make this move happen.
Tee Higgins to Chicago
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a few decisions to make when it comes to contract extensions. Both Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are expected to land huge extensions, and rightfully so. Extending Higgins as well would be possible but not likely, as the Bengals have other needs to address. Reports state that the Bengals would obviously love to keep Higgins but if they can’t agree on extension terms, they will have to explore their options.
Justin Fields thinks a Tee Higgins trade would be 'awesome'https://t.co/m5Al7788UW — NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) February 13, 2023
The Bears, who will likely keep Fields as their QB1 despite recent rumors, want to maximize their QB1’s tenure. That means surrounding him with game-changing weapons and a reliable offensive line. If reports come out that Higgins is seeking a lucrative deal that the Bengals can’t pay, look for Bears GM Ryan Poles to try to make a move. Poles already spent a second-round pick to acquire wide receiver Chase Claypool before this last trade deadline, but can get that pick back and then some by trading back from the first overall pick.
Lamar Jackson To Washington
Many underestimate Washington as a destination of choice for NFL players and personnel, but this is as attractive as they have been for a few years. After finishing a season 8-8-1 despite some of the worst quarterback play and questionable play calling, some analysts are starting to see the potential that Washington has. Not to mention that a new owner is probably days away from buying the franchise, and will likely be hungry to turn this team into a winner. We have recently seen how hungry a new major sports franchise owner can be the past week with the NBA trade deadline.
In fact, members of the potential new owner’s circle have already tried to capitalize on Washington’s situation and work behind the scenes to make sure this is a successful first offseason and season. Did they also have a hand in pursuing Eric Bieniemy? Will hiring an offensive coordinator like Bieniemy or Greg Roman attract a quarterback like Lamar Jackson to want to play in Washington? Like their offensive coordinator position, Lamar could see the promise in playing with receivers like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel, while also having a solid defense to help out on the other end.
Sources: OC candidates who interviewed with the #Ravens were not given full assurances that Lamar Jackson will be the QB next season. Baltimore was clear it wants Lamar back, but truly doesn’t know what the off-season holds. My story, via @theScore: https://t.co/PgleqZpRhl — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 15, 2023
Who knows if any of these moves will actually happen, but it definitely is interesting to think about. NFL fans are expecting another exciting offseason and it is just getting started.