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This NFL offseason has been one of the craziest in recent memory and the 2022 NFL Draft has not even taken place! This offseason has seen most teams around the league try to improve across the board.
Of course, not every team can have the best offseason. With that in mind, there are a few teams who have seemed to go above and beyond prior to the draft. Things can change come draft time depending on the players being drafted and any trades that may come up. However, these teams have been the biggest winners of the offseason so far.
The Biggest Winners
Los Angeles Chargers
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Wanting to take advantage of quarterback Justin Herbert’s rise to stardom while on his rookie contract, the Chargers have been very involved this offseason. To get things started on offense, the Chargers re-signed wide receiver, Mike Williams.
Williams re-signed to the Chargers on a three-year, $60 million contract as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move retains one of Herbert’s favorite weapons on offense.
Keeping things on the offensive side, the Chargers needed a tight end after veteran Jared Cook became a free agent. The Chargers signed former Rams and Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett to a two-year, $12 million deal as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Everett becomes the Chargers tight end one with the move and could have a productive year after flashing at times with the Rams.
Looking to bolster the defense, the Chargers made a splash on the market. Schefter reported that they signed the top cornerback available, JC Jackson, to a five-year, $82.5 million deal. Jackson has now become one of the top 10 highest-paid cornerbacks in the league.
One of the biggest moves of the offseason also happened to be at the hands of the Chargers. With pass rush a concern, the Chargers went out and traded for Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack. Schefter reported, the Chargers sent a 2022 2nd-round pick and 2023 6th-round draft pick to the Bears in exchange for Mack.
The additions of Jackson and Mack to a defense already featuring Joey Bosa, Derwin James, and Asante Samuel Jr make this defense one of the scarier ones around the league.
Los Angeles Rams
What’s the best thing for reigning Super Bowl Champs to do? Get better. That’s exactly what the Rams have been doing this offseason. After winning one Super Bowl, they know their window is now and are mortgaging their future to try and win again.
While Los Angeles lost trade deadline acquisition, Von Miller, to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason, they found a replacement for him. That replacement is none other than eight-time pro bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Wagner was released from Seattle following a retooling period for them. He signed with the Rams on a five-year, $50 million deal as reported by Schefter. Wagner gives the Rams a star linebacker – something they have not had for a few years. He should pair well with star pass-rusher Aaron Donald.
After losing Robert Woods to a torn ACL last year, the Rams were not certain when he would be back and healthy. Rather than gamble, Los Angeles went out and signed arguably one of the top free-agent wide receivers Allen Robinson.
Robinson signed a three-year, $46.5 million deal as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Robinson now joins Cooper Kupp as a dynamic duo for second-year Ram Matthew Stafford.
The Rams have managed to beef up their offense while not losing much if anything on the defense. This team is primed for another Super Bowl run. Their offseason may not be done after there are rumors Odell Beckham Jr would like to re-sign after he tore his ACL in the Super Bowl.
Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins have had a very good offseason in terms of bringing in key free agents and players. While the firing of Brian Flores was a bit unbeknownst, the Dolphins have done a nice job building the team otherwise.
One of the first moves of the offseason included the Dolphins franchise tagging star tight end Mike Gesicki as reported by ESPN’s Field Yates. Gesicki is a large focal point of the offense and the Dolphins locked him up with the tag.
One of the more underrated moves of the offseason includes the signing of tackle Terron Armstead. Having struggled to build a strong offensive line, the Dolphins now add someone who should be a key contributor to the team. Armstead signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal as reported by Schefter.
The Dolphins went all-in on the offensive side of things, where new Head Coach Mike McDaniel should have a chance to showcase his offensive coaching abilities. To shore up a lackluster backfield, Miami went out and signed both Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. As reported by Ian Rapoport, Mostert signed a one-year, $3.125 million deal. The move reunites Mostert with McDaniel.
Edmonds, who played a large part on offense for Arizona last year, signed a two-year, $12.6 million deal. He should be a focal point of the offense as a good pass catcher with speed.
The Dolphins did not stop there and traded for Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Adding yet another good pass catcher with speed. After being unhappy with where contract extension negotiations were going with the Chiefs, Hill requested a trade.
The Miami Dolphins stepped up and sent a total of five draft picks. They included 2022 first, second, and fourth-round picks as well as 2023 fourth and sixth-round picks, as reported by Schefter. Following the trade, Schefter reported that the Dolphins signed Hill to a four-year, $120 million deal.
Former Cowboys wide receiver Cedrick Wilson signed with the Dolphins, giving them a solid core of wide receivers for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Wilson signed a three-year, $22.05 million contract as reported by ESPN reporters Todd Archer and Schefter.
The Dolphins have built a strong offense around Tagovailoa, setting him up for success. With the new mind of head coach McDaniel, it will be interesting to see if it all pays off once this season.
