NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

NFL 2022: 5 teams to watch during free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 12: Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard is seen before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 12: Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard is seen before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
NFL 2022
NFL 2022: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears runs to the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 12, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 45-30. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The new fiscal year for the NFL begins in mid-March. Which five teams in the league may be worth keeping an eye on when it comes to adding veterans?

Teams are already preparing for the 2022 NFL season. The newest NFL fiscal year for the league begins officially at 4:00 pm ET on March 16th. Between now and then, teams will make offers to keep their potential unrestricted free agents from hitting the open market. Clubs will make decisions on whether they want to put a “franchise” or “transition” tag on a player whose contract is about to expire.

Meanwhile, clubs will set the table for trades that do not become official until March 16th. And on March 14th, the celebrated “legal tampering” begins as teams can reach out to potential free agents. And as of this writing, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and New Orleans Saints still had a lot of work to do to get under the $208.2 million cap number.

It all adds up to the NFL’s 30th edition of free agency. So which five teams warrant added attention?

NOTE: All financial information provided by Spotrac.

Five NFL teams that should be very active in 2022 free agency

5. Chicago Bears

This is a franchise that has been treading water since winning the NFC North in 2018. There’s a new general manager and new head coach in the Windy City in ex-Chiefs’ front office executive Ryan Poles and former Colts’ defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, respectively.

A year ago, then-GM Ryan Pace gave up plenty to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. The team could use some more help at wide receiver and tight end and the offensive line must be shored up. The defense needs to get sturdier up front after finishing tied for 23rd in the league vs. the run.

The Bears have some money to spend but their first priority figures to be getting veteran wideout Allen Robinson re-signed.

Home/NFL