NFL Free Agency 2020: Grades for every team after first wave

Despite the discussion that the Vikings might be quiet this offseason given limited salary cap room at the start of things, they’ve made plenty of noise. Not only did they franchise tag Anthony Harris, release Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph, ink Kirk Cousins to an extension and sign a big-name free agent in Michael Pierce but they also made one of the bigger moves of the offseason in trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills.

While losing Diggs immediately lessens the firepower of the offense, it could be for the better. He was disgruntled with the direction of the team and his role and the Vikings got a first-round pick in return, which now gives them two to work with. That puts them in a great position to revamp both sides of the ball and they’ve, for the most part, maintained the integrity of the team that earned an NFC Wild Card berth last season.

There are undoubtedly nice moves that the New England Patriots have made in 2020 NFL free agency. Retaining both Deven McCourty and Matthew Slater is something that Bill Belichick is undeniably happy about and will help the team. The same can be said of signing Beau Allen and franchise tagging Joe Thuney.

At the end of the day, though, this team lost Tom Brady and an era ended. But they didn’t just lose their quarterback of 20 years but they also now enter a period of uncertainty about where this franchise is heading because of it. Throw in that they also saw Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins walk as well and the Patriots are in a weird spot.

When you lose Tom Brady, though — regardless of almost anything else that happens — it’s a lost offseason. Such is the case in New England.