- It's been a hectic
NFL off-season that has seen several stars traded or moved in free agency. - Four starting quarterbacks and several Pro Bowl players will be in new uniforms this fall.
In a wild NFL off-season that's already seen several starting quarterbacks and Pro Bowlers move, the chaos continued Wednesday as the Kansas City Chiefs traded star receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins.
In the last month, four starting quarterbacks, three star wideouts, and two future Hall of Fame defensive players have changed teams. And there is still more to come.
What's been most notable: Teams have not been shy about giving out big contracts, trading for them, or giving up draft picks to get their most-coveted players. The big spenders aren't all Super Bowl contenders, either. Just look down to No. 1.
Here's a look at the 13 biggest moves of the off-season so far:
1. Deshaun Watson traded to the Cleveland Browns
Perhaps the most explosive (and controversial) move of the off-season, the Browns' acquisition of Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, ended weeks of speculation about the embattled quarterback's future. Watson didn't play the 2021 season after requesting a trade from the Houston Texans, and he is still facing 22 civil lawsuits that accuse him of sexual misconduct. Still, that didn't stop the Browns from trading five total draft picks and handing Watson a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million extension.
Up next: the Browns will find a new home for Baker Mayfield, ensuring another starting QB gets moved this off-season.
2. Russell Wilson traded to the Denver Broncos
Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks had reached an endpoint, and Seattle dealt the nine-time Pro Bowler to Denver in exchange for three players and five total draft picks, including two first-rounders. Wilson's play has been uneven the last two seasons, but he's played at an MVP level when healthy. The Broncos' deep group of playmakers should benefit from Wilson's precision and his strong arm.
3. Tyreek Hill traded to the Miami Dolphins
Few in the NFL world saw a breakup between the Chiefs and their top receiver coming. According to reports, the Chiefs and Hill could not come to an agreement on an extension, so the Chiefs allowed Hill to seek a trade. He landed on the Dolphins, who now boast several talented wideouts, while also receiving a four-year, $120 million extension. Let's check in midseason to see just how much Hill and Patrick Mahomes miss one another.
4. Davante Adams traded to the Las Vegas Raiders
When Aaron Rodgers re-signed with the Green Bay Packers, it felt like a given that Adams, his top receiver, would follow. Instead, Adams was done in Green Bay. The Packers received a first- and second-round pick for the player who's arguably been the best receiver in the NFL over the past three seasons. The Raiders also gave Adams a five-year, $140 million contract, locking in quarterback Derek Carr's new top target.
4. Khalil Mack traded to the Los Angeles Chargers
Khalil Mack may not be the wrecking machine who piled up double-digit sacks annually from 2015 to 2018, but he is still a pass-rushing force. It only cost the Chargers a second- and sixth-round pick to get him. Teams will now have to block Mack and Joey Bosa when playing the Chargers, a nightmare scenario for offensive lines and quarterbacks around the league.
5. Matt Ryan traded to the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts cut ties with Carson Wentz earlier this off-season, leaving a hole at quarterback. The Atlanta Falcons decided it was time to do the same with Ryan, so they sent him to Indianapolis for just a third-round pick in return. Ryan has lost some arm strength and is on the downside of his career at 36 (turning 37 in May). Still, he's a fairly efficient QB who should help the Colts' young receivers.
6. Von Miller signs a 6-year, $120 million deal with the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo felt it needed some pass-rush help and leadership on the defensive end, so the Broncos spent big on Miller, coming off a Super Bowl with the Rams. At 32, Miller might not make that deal look so great in the later years, but for now, he's a splashy addition to a Bills team that came up just short of making the AFC Championship last season.
7. Randy Gregory signs a 5-year, $70 million deal with the Broncos
Gregory was set to re-sign with the Cowboys on the same deal before changing his mind and joining the Broncos. ESPN reported that the 29-year-old defensive end backed out of his contract with the Cowboys over "salary-forfeiture language," a stunning reversal that added even more firepower to the AFC West. Gregory had six sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception in 12 games with the Cowboys last year.
8. Chandler Jones signs a 3-year, $51 million deal with the Raiders
Not content to just let the Chargers and Broncos beef up their pass rush, the Raiders acquired the 32-year-old linebacker. Jones had a solid season in Arizona last year, posting 10.5 sacks and six forced fumbles, and he might be more motivated with a new deal in Las Vegas.
9. Amari Cooper traded to the Browns
Cooper had posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons before a somewhat down 2021 in Dallas (during which he still had eight touchdowns). He'll have a new QB in Watson in Cleveland in what's turned out to be a revamped offense.
10. Allen Robinson signs a 3-year, $46 million deal with the Rams
The Rams take gambles on star players, and Robinson is no different. Fantasy football players know Robinson was a bust last year, catching just 38 passes for 410 yards and one touchdown with the Bears. But the year before, he had 102 catches for 1,250 yards and six TDs. Now playing alongside Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp in LA, expect Robinson to bounce back in a big way.
11. Carson Wentz traded to the Washington Commanders
After being traded for the second time in two years, Wentz appears to be approaching a last-chance season. While the shine has worn off the 2016 No. 2 pick, Wentz wasn't all bad in Indianapolis last year, throwing for more than 3,500 yards with 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and posting a 94.0 passer rating. Washington has some talented offensive weapons, and Wentz just needs to be pretty good to be an upgrade over Taylor Heinecke.
12. La'el Collins signs a 3-year, $30 million deal with the Bengals
The Bengals needed to protect quarterback Joe Burrow, who was sacked 70 times last year. The reigning AFC Champs added Collins, who already seems to be taking his job seriously. The 28-year-old offensive lineman said he told Burrow that his new "bodyguard" was in town.