The first day of the Free Agency is over, and official negotiations have been allowed since Monday – so the picture is already clearer now. SPOX draws a first interim conclusion with winners and losers of the past days.
The Chicago Bears made their franchise quarterback in Trubisky – and then left it out in the rain last season. This is now changing, on a large scale. We are already starting with the coaches, Mark Helfrich (Ex-Oregon) and Matt Nagy (formerly Andy Reid’s offensive coordinator in Kansas City) should lead the Bears Offense into modern times.
This trend continued directly in the Free Agency: The Bears have extended their desolate receiving corps with Allen Robinson and thus have a real number 1. In addition, Speedster Taylor Gabriel and Tight End Trey Burton came. Even before the draft, and regardless of whether Kevin White can constantly tap his potential, Chicago’s offense presents itself with a completely different face.
With Tarik Cohen, Chicago has a versatile weapon, and with Jordan Howard a very strong running back. Helfrich and Nagy are likely to install significantly more quarterback-friendly elements such as run pass options, half read layouts, play action and the like. With Robinson, Gabriel and Burton, Trubisky already has an arsenal that is not even remotely comparable to the previous season.
For years, Packers fans had been complaining about the inactivity of their own franchise at the Free Agency and the Packers did not take advantage of the Aaron Rodgers window. This is not the case this year under good art.
With Jimmy Graham and Mo Wilkerson, the Packers have landed two of the thicker fish on the market, both of which are supposed to be quick improvements: Graham is no longer the dynamic field stretcher he once was – but he can still be used better than he was in Seattle last year.
Even though the Graham commitment was accompanied by the dismissal of Jordy Nelson, Nelson was not much more than a red-zone target at the time, Graham is that and more. Wilkerson gives the Packers a spectacular presence on the Defensive Line in the new, more flexible and dynamic Defense under Pettine: Wilkerson should complement Daniels and Clark brilliantly with his explosiveness.
Drew Brees has openly admitted that he would have collected significantly more money elsewhere – some reports report a $60 million two-year guarantee. Instead, he will receive 27 million dollars from the Saints and will charge the Saints-Cap 2018 with 24 million dollars.
That’s a more than fair deal with a decent homebown discount. And New Orleans used the Cap Space promptly: ex-Eagles Cornerback Patrick Robinson was one of the best slot cornerbacks of the past season, now he plays for the Saints – just like ex-Jets linebacker Demario Davis. New Orleans is on full title course 2018.
Everything was based on the assumption that Andrew Norwell – by far the best guard on the market – would go to the Giants. But it didn’t work out: The Jacksonville Jaguars grabbed Norwell. Although he had an outstanding season in Pass-Protection, he is a constantly very good run-blocker. In combination with Allen Robinson’s departure, Jacksonville has plenty of fournette runs to offer.
Analogous to Trubisky in Chicago: The Chiefs already had a good skill position core with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt. He just got a potential number one receiver: Sammy Watkins gives Andy Reid a great puzzle piece.
McCarron fought to be allowed on the market as an Unrestricted Free Agent. First of all, it has to be said that the market was not easy, and almost every team with an obvious quarterback construction site quickly got at least a temporary solution. Only the Bills remained – and they finally struck. Buffalo, who is constantly working her way up in the draft, was the last real chance to start for McCarron 2018. This opportunity is now in his hands and thus also the opportunity to recommend themselves for further tasks when the Bills sooner or later hand over the sceptre to their rookie.
Somehow you have to name them here, even if Cleveland would rather fit into a “neutral” section. But there is no such case. Not every deal was a big deal and the career end of Joe Thomas is of course a bitter damper. However, after the trade for Tyrod Taylor, Cleveland finally goes into the summer with a reasonable quarterback. This should not prevent the Brown’s from getting another QB in the draft. But Taylor gives the Browns a base line that they haven’t had in Cleveland for a long time.
The Rams-Defense is going to be a nightmare: The trades for Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib were already a spectacular beginning and give one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. The Rams also decided to give Lamarcus Joyner and not Sammy Watkins the franchise day and then held Nickel-Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. And a linebacker replacement for the delivered Alec Ogletree should be found quickly in the draft.
Page 1: The previous Free-Agency winners
Page 2: The previous Free-Agency losers