It’s crazy to think that we are 3 days away from the 2 year anniversary of COVID being declared a pandemic. Although it seems like COVID is becoming less of a worry as protocols are being lifted all around, the NFL world is still in a frenzy. This article is going to breakdown the crazy March 8, 2022 the NFL is having that will most likely change the landscape of the league for years to come!

1. Aaron Rodgers has decided to return to the Packers to continue on his legacy filled career.

There was talk early in the day that Rodgers signed a 4 year, $200 million contract, but Rodgers himself later shot that down. It sounds like Rodgers is going to sign a team friendly deal that will not make the cap issues worse and could help bring in the pieces needed to actually get this team back to the Super Bowl. For a guy that sounded like he was going to retire at the end of his MVP acceptance speech this is kind of a surprise, and the fact that there were any reports of a 4 year contract is really surprising. Either way, between the reports of the Packers not liking Love and Rodgers’ return we believe it is almost certain that Love has put on a Packers jersey for the last time. It looks like Love was a waste of a first round pick, but with all the question marks around this year’s QB draft class it certainly seems like the Packers may be able to get a decent package for the young, high-potential QB. 

2. The Broncos and Seahawks agree to a huge blockbuster trade! It may be the biggest trade of the last few years!

Seahawks Receive: QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, 2- first round picks(2022-pick 9, and 2023), 2- second round picks(2022-pick 40 and 2023), and Broncos 2022 fifth round pick

Denver Receives: QB Russell Wilson and Seahawks 2022 fourth round pick

This trade made a couple things very clear:

• The Seahawks will not be bringing back TE Gerald Everett and TE Will Dissly’s future with the team could be in doubt
• Seattle is finally accepting defeat and is in rebuild mode. It will be interesting to see if Pete Carroll and John  Schneider are retained next offseason. It could also mean that all stars on this roster are on the market. Do not be surprised if we see WRs Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf and/or Safety Jamal Adams traded by the end of the draft
• Denver did not believe in Drew Lock, but did believe that this team is ready to win now and were willing to sacrifice their near future to try to win now.
• The AFC West is the best division in the NFL. End of story. Do not be surprised if 3 of these teams make it into the playoffs next season. 

3. Mike Williams and the Chargers agree to a 3 year, $60 million contract. The deal includes $40 million in guaranteed money and $28 million in the first year.

The Chargers are able to keep one of the best offensive groups together by retaining Williams. Williams gets the money he believes he deserves after a breakout season, and the Chargers are not committed to him super long term. We still think the Chargers need to add another WR or 2, but this offense should be able to come back next season and pick up right where they left off. Another move that makes the AFC West the division to watch next season.

1. The following players were franchise Tagged
   1. Miami Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki
   2. Jacksonville Jaguars OL Cam Robinson
   3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
   4. Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams

5. Harold Landry signs a 5 year, $87.5 million contract with $52.5 in guarantees

Mike Vrabel retains one of his young rising stars for the long term. For a team who was set to lose essentially their entire LB corps this is a huge keep for the Titans. Landry had a breakout season this year and is really coming into his own in the league. He is a young pass rusher to keep an eye on in the years ahead.

6. The Seahawks release LB Bobby Wagner

As we stated earlier this just shows that the Seahawks are in full rebuild mode. You trade the heart and soul, and the captains and leaders of your offense, defense, and just overall team. No one is safe on this team and we could see a whole new look Seahawks team heading into next year. It sounds like it was a money related move, but I’d be curious to know if they even asked Wagner to take a pay cut. Regardless, Wagner is still one of the best in the league at the position and should not be unemployed long.

The big question I have from the day is did Seattle know they were going into a full rebuild this offseason or was it spur of the moment? Because for me if you knew you were going to rebuild I don’t know why Schneider and Carroll were retained. Schneider is not the GM people once thought he was. He seems to reach hard on his first round draft picks, and if I were a Seahawks fan I would be afraid to see who Seattle takes at number 9 overall this year. I saw a stat yesterday that said the Seahawks have drafted 52 players since 2016, and only one became an all-pro… and it was their punter Michael Dickson. That’s sad. As for Carroll, I think he’s a good coach, but I don’t know that I want a 70 year old rebuilding this team and trying to lead them into the next era of Seahawk football. Seattle is going to be an interesting team to watch over the next year. 

At the end of the day, during the combine it sounded like this could’ve gone from a super hyped up offseason to just another regular old offseason with no crazy big moves, but two days out of the combine and we are back on track for arguably one of the craziest offseason’s in recent memory. Buckle up folks were in for a rollercoaster of an offseason!!!! This is what us fans live for!