The NFL hardly sleeps. The 2022 offseason was just more proof of that.
This spring and summer was the backdrop of monumental moves that shook up 2021’s status quo, threatening to upend the pecking order as superstars changed addresses across the league.
Russell Wilson was brought in as head chef for a Denver Broncos team that’s been looking for someone to cook since Peyton Manning retired. Deshaun Watson was traded for three first round picks despite not playing at all in ’21 and the threat of a lengthy suspension looming from more than 20 accusations of sexual misconduct from his time as a Houston Texan.
The Indianapolis Colts swapped out Carson Wentz and brought in Matt Ryan. Star wide receivers Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill were both traded. Lesser star wideouts AJ Brown and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown were as well. Khalil Mack and Von Miller, both former Defensive Players of the Year, found new homes.
As a result, several teams will be debuting new look rosters headed by debuting stars. Which ones are we most excited to watch?
Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
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Christian D’Andrea: I’ve long been a member of the “Derek Carr is underrated” club. The Raiders quarterback has dealt with all kinds of nonsense in his NFL career, from the broken leg that derailed his MVP campaign in 2016 to the Jon Gruden era and its glaring inability to add quality wide receivers (with the exception of Hunter Renfrow).
Carr is now 31 years old. While he got a fat contract extension this offseason, Las Vegas retains the ability to effectively cut him loose after 2022 while eating only $5.6 million in dead cap space. This is a prove-it year for the veteran, but his toolbox is filled with the tools he needs to reclaim that 2016 form.
Foremost among them is Adams, who was Aaron Rodgers’ huckleberry in Green Bay and now reunites with his former Fresno State teammate. Adams is a one-man rising tide; a receiver whose versatility creates space for everyone else on the field. Renfrow will benefit. So will Darren Waller and Foster Moreau at tight end.
Carr has to produce under new head coach Josh McDaniels or face a potential divorce from the only franchise he’s ever known. Adams is capable of pushing his offense to a new level. The Raiders have a tough road ahead of them in the NFL’s toughest division, but this offense is ready to stand toe-to-toe with the Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos.
Khalil Mack and JC Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
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Robert Zeglinski: I’m on the record saying the Bears made a significant mistake letting Khalil Mack go. The perennial All-Pro edge player may not have been entirely healthy over his last couple of years in Chicago, but I think he’s primed for a resurgence in that oh-so-glorious Chargers powder blue.
Mack is one of the best modern defenders we’ve ever seen when healthy, at full-tilt. And that’s not just in harassing quarterbacks — no one (no one) takes care of the defensive edge in the running game like Mack. The Chargers were 30th in rushing yards allowed last year, gashed regularly by teams up and down the field. That’s … not going to happen with a motivated Mack in tow.
At 31, on a new and loaded squad, we’re about to see the bright second act of a future Hall of Famer.
As for Jackson, yes, I’m cheating a bit by including two players. But his playmaking addition at cornerback (25 picks since 2018) to a star-studded defense (Mack, Joey Bosa, Derwin James) — should be a boon to defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill’s scheme. They’re all connected together. I can’t fathom having to complete a pass against Jackson with James roaming over the top and Mack and Bosa collapsing the pocket.
Getting Justin Herbert more opportunities is what really should be considered cheating:
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
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Charles Curtis: So, here’s the question: Was what we saw out of Russell Wilson — which wasn’t the worst season ever but was disappointing by his standards — a preview of what’s to come now that he’s 33 years old? After all, he had a stacked receiving corps in Seattle and a coach who won a Super Bowl.
But he wasn’t healthy a lot of the season. The O-line struggled. He seemed unhappy with Seattle heading into 2021. So maybe it was just an offseason of healing and a fresh start with a good team that will help.
And that’s what I’m most excited about: Answering whether Mr. Unlimited can bounce back with a solid receiving corps, a good running game and an offensive line that could improve.
Allen Robinson, Los Angeles Rams
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Blake Schuster: It’s time to find out whether the supremely talented wideout is cursed or has just been unlucky throughout his career. Finally released from the Chicago Bears, Robinson gets to play for the defending Super Bowl champion LA Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford. That might not sound like a big deal, but consider the previous QBs Robinson has been forced to deal with in his career between Chicago and Jacksonville:
Mitchell Trubisky Chase Daniel Nick Foles Andy Dalton Justin Fields Blake Bortles
And still A-Rob made the Pro Bowl in 2015 while tied for the league lead in touchdowns. Imagine what he could do with a legitimately competent offense that gives him room to expand his game. Unless, of course, this is the year Stafford’s arm falls off, in which case, yes, Robinson is cursed.
Let us all pray this is not his path.
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