The National Football League (NFL) offseason is fully underway, with the top players available looking for huge contracts with new teams or simply finding a team that may be the best fit for them to make a Super Bowl run. Even with this, some stars may be traded unexpectedly for the better of their current team. With multiple teams looking for that missing piece to fill any weaknesses on their roster, here are the top five moves of the offseason that will not only benefit the player in longevity but the team itself.
1. Los Angeles Rams Trade With Kansas City Chiefs for Cornerback Trent McDuffie
The Los Angeles Rams were one of the most intriguing teams this past season as they were only one game away from heading to the Super Bowl. But their biggest weaknesses were clear and exposed in the National Football Conference (NFC) championship against the then Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. Their special teams, along with unreliable cornerbacks. Heading into the offseason, and what will likely be Matthew Stafford’s final season, the Rams made it clear that they are going all in this season. The Kansas City Chiefs agreed on a trade with the Los Angeles Rams that would send star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams in exchange for a 2026 first, fifth, and sixth round pick along with a third round pick in 2027. After the deal, the Rams would award McDuffie by making him the highest paid cornerback with a four year one hundred twenty four million dollar extension. McDuffie is a two-time all-pro corner who will be able to fill a must-needed weakness in the Rams’ defense on their quest to a Super Bowl run next season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs sign Running Back Kenneth Walker III
The Kansas City Chiefs have always had solid running backs, but never a true star to pair alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With the absence of Mahomes likely for the first couple of weeks of next season, the Chiefs knew they needed to acquire a star to fill a weakness they have had for years. As a result of this, they brought in running back Kenneth Walker III on a three-year, forty-three million dollar deal. Mahomes has never had a one-thousand-yard rusher in his entire career, but bringing in Walker can bring explosiveness to not only the pass game but the rushing game. Walker III is coming off his second 1,000-yard rushing season, in what was also a season that he helped lead the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl. He was also awarded the Super Bowl’s most valuable player (MVP). When healthy next season, the Kansas City Chiefs will have an arsenal of weapons, including pass targets Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce to go with superstar Mahomes.
3. Baltimore Ravens sign Edge Rusher Trey Hendrickson
The Baltimore Ravens, unfortunately, took a big swing and missed when they first struck a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders that would have sent defensive end Maxx Crosby to Baltimore. But after a failed physical, the Ravens were forced to look into free agency for their next best option. With that, the Ravens would bring in Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, one hundred twelve million dollar deal. Despite only playing seven games last season due to injury, Hendrickson is a problem to contain. In his two prior seasons, he hauled in back-to-back 17-and-a-half sack seasons and was a big part of the Cincinnati Bengals defense. Now, for a Baltimore defense that has always been solid, they look to have finally gotten that missing piece to put this defense over the top. With quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the charge for this offense alongside running back Derrick Henry, this team will surely be balanced as they hope to make a deep playoff run after failing to make the playoffs last season.
4. New Orleans Saints sign running back Travis Etienne Jr.
The New Orleans Saints seem to be heading in the right direction with now second-year quarterback Tyler Shough leading the offense after a solid ending to his rookie campaign. Then, Travis Etienne Jr. would sign a four-year $52,000,000 deal with the New Orleans Saints. Eitenne Jr. only gives this offense an even bigger spark and another threat for defenses to deal with. In three of his first four seasons, he has had over one thousand rushing yards in all of them. He is coming off his most productive season so far, where he had a total of thirteen touchdowns and one thousand three hundred ninety-nine scrimmage yards. It is unclear if he will split the backfield with veteran Alvin Kamara, who is one of the best receiving backs in the NFL, but no matter what, New Orleans was able to acquire another needed piece for quarterback Tyler Shough. Overall, the Saints look to have a solid year with second-year head coach Kellen Moore.
5. The Denver Broncos trade with the Miami Dolphins for Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle
The Denver Broncos were the number one seed in the American Football Conference (AFC) last season and put together one of their best seasons in a good bit. But, they fell just one game short of the Super Bowl as they fell to the New England Patriots in the AFC championship. Tragically, star quarterback Bo Nix broke his right ankle in the game prior to the AFC championship, which was a huge reason for the loss. But as Denver hopes to come back stronger, they do so by adding another piece to the offense. The Denver Broncos sent their first, third, and fourth round picks in this year’s draft in exchange for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and Miami is the fourth round pick. Denver now has one of the most underrated wide receiver trios in the league, which now includes Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, and Courtland Sutton. With this move, it shows how the Broncos are going all in to hopefully let this be the year they can head back to the Super Bowl after a tragic ending to last season.
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As next season quickly approaches, even more players could possibly be on the move still as a result of the draft. Fans are more than excited to see what next year holds for their favorite teams.
