The 2022 NFL offseason is set to be filled with crazy free agent signings and major trades. What are some bold predictions when the new year opens?
Now that the dust has settled after Super Bowl 56, teams will be turning their attention to their respective offseason plans. The NFL offseasons are usually filled with big news, and this offseason will be no different.
Many teams are still in a rebuilding mode and will continue to add quality players via free agency in the draft, some teams are in the middle, and others will try and spend big to keep their core together or to add pieces in hopes of making a deep playoff run.
With the potential of several franchise quarterbacks being traded this offseason, next month is set to be the beginning of a fun-filled offseason.
As we approach the middle of March, what are some bold predictions that could come true when the offseason begins?
NFL Offseason 2022: Rams spend big
The first bold prediction, well, I guess this isn’t bold, but if you look at the Rams’ current cap space, it could be.
The Rams are over the cap by about $13 million, so as of now, they are unable to spend big to try and keep their core together. However, by reworking big contracts like those of Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, and giving Matthew Stafford a contract extension, the Rams are able to create enough cap space to spend big, if they wanted.
Von Miller and Odell Beckham, Jr are the two biggest free agents the team has, and I would assume that both would like to return.
Besides those 2 players, the Rams do have a few other holes, namely in the middle of their defense and on the offensive line, especially with the projected retirement of big Andrew Whitworth.
The Rams could create enough cap space to sign someone like Mark Glowinski or Brandon Scherff to shore up their interior, and could perhaps chase a big-name left tackle like Terron Armstead.
I do think that players taking less to play with a contender is a plausible idea, so I have no reason to believe that any free agents interested in the Rams would not be willing to take a discount.
The Rams now have a wide-open window to chase another ring or two, and I would not be surprised if they field a better team in 2022.
NFL Offseason 2022: Bengals O-line becomes league’s best
How about a unit going from one of the worst in the league to one of the best? It can happen.
This year, the Dallas Cowboys defense made a huge jump from 2020 to 2021, becoming one of the more efficient units in the NFL, which was a big reason why they were able to win double-digit games and make the playoffs.
With the Bengals set to have about $50 million in cap space, and not a ton of major free agents, they are in a perfect position to completely overhaul their line, kind of like the Kansas City Chiefs did after losing in Super Bowl 55 last year.
Why can’t the Bengals do the same? Joe Burrow has proven to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and like the Rams, I have no reason to believe that free agents would not want to come here, and perhaps take a discount.
While spending big in free agency doesn’t always work, the Bengals could turn their line into a team strength just by signing free agents. While it’s expected they’ll prioritize drafting OL in April, they will address the line in free agency as well.
Outside of left tackle Jonah Williams, I could argue that they need to get better at each position. Left guard Quinton Spain enjoyed a solid year, as it’s the right side of their line that stinks, for lack of a better word.
Why can’t the Bengals chase Brandon Scherff and/or Ryan Jensen, perhaps a cheaper option like Trai Turner or Justin Britt, and even make a run at a right tackle like Trent Brown or Morgan Moses?
There are plenty of quality options that would make the Bengals’ offensive line much better. Mind you, this was, arguably, the worst unit in the NFL, so signing someone who is even just league average would be an upgrade.
I do think the Bengals are going to invest nearly all of their attention to make this line one of the league’s best. Perhaps the Bengals do win on Sunday if their line is stronger?
Not improving their offensive line would seriously give off a Joe Burrow-Andrew Luck type comparison, as Luck retired at a young age due to injuries while playing behind a bad unit.
Please, Bengals, for the sake of the NFL, don’t mess this up.
NFL Offseason 2022: Quarterbacks on the move
My last bold prediction for the 2022 NFL offseason is that all of Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz, and Jimmy Garoppolo are playing and starting for new teams in 2022.
Now, the last two players, Wentz and Jimmy G are about guaranteed of this, as we’ve had reports about both quarterbacks playing elsewhere in 2022.
The two big fish here, Rodgers and Wilson, are obviously going to be swayed to return to their current teams, but with what we’ve seen in the NFL the past two seasons, they’d be wise to move on.
In 2020, Tom Brady signed with the Buccaneers after 218 years with the Patriots, and he won a Super Bowl in his first season.
in 2021, Matthew Stafford wanted a trade to LA, and he and the Rams won a Super Bowl in their first year together.
You see, who’s to say both Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson won’t do the same? Both quarterbacks can find themselves on better rosters and situations on other teams, so what is holding them back?
Seattle was bad this year, finishing with a 7-10 record, and their roster has a ton of holes that even Mr. Unlimited couldn’t cover-up.
The Packers won 13 games for the third season in a row and got upset in the playoffs.
They have a good roster but are nearly $50 million over the cap, so it’s likely they won’t be able to bring back their core to make another run.
Russell Wilson on a team like the Browns or the Giants makes a lot of sense. Both units have talented rosters, and we’ve now seen that the past two Super Bowl champions were indeed a quarterback away from winning, so why can’t Russell Wilson do that with the Giants?
Aaron Rodgers fits nicely on Denver, for obvious reasons.
Both players are either in or approaching the back 9 of their careers, so it’s a perfect chance for each to add to their one Super Bowl ring and chase more.