2023 NFL Free Agency started off with a bang and there were a few shockers no one predicted, but a few stood out among the rest.
The start of the 2023 NFL Free Agency saw Aaron Rodgers arise from the darkness. As we awaited his decision, we all knew he was going to confirm a trade with the New York Jets—no surprise there. We saw Jimmy Garroppolo reunited with his New England offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, becoming a Las Vegas Raider. Another non-surprise was the Dallas Cowboys parting ways with Ezekiel Elliot. The former Ohio State back was designated as a post-June release. He becomes another running back who got paid but did not live up to expectations.
There were rumors of Darius Slay possibly hitting free agency, but the Eagles wised up and kept their star corner on the roster. The Kansas City Chiefs let Orlando Brown walk as he looks to get paid like a left tackle. It appears they opted for Juwaan Taylor and linked to Laremy Tunsil. Meanwhile, Orlando Brown opted to join the reigning AFC North Champions, the Cincinnati Bengals. Nevertheless, the 2023 NFL Free Agency period had its fair share of surprising moves.
10 most shocking moves in NFL Free Agency so far
10. Aaron Rodgers’ wishlist
Everyone but Aaron Rodgers knew he was going to the New York Jets. After being 90% retired, Rodgers arose from the darkness with a wishlist for his new team. The future Hall of Fame quarterback asked the Jets to sign Allen Lazard, Mercedes Lewis, Randall Cobb, and Odell Beckham Jr. What’s shocking is the audacity of the guy to request his future team to sign players that would benefit him more than anything. Aaron Rodgers, for all his greatness, wasn’t taking the Packers to NFC title games and wasn’t taking them to the Super Bowl. Yet, the Jets were given a list by a guy who will probably be nothing more than a one-year rental.
9. Las Vegas Raiders trade Darren Waller to the New York Giants
Josh McDaniels is inserting the Patriot Way by getting his guys in and those who don’t fit out. Darren Waller was traded to the New York Giants for a third-round pick. The Raiders were a team that underachieved in 2022 based on making the playoffs in 2021. Nevertheless, Josh McDaniels felt it was necessary to get rid of the Pro Bowl tight end for a third-round pick. Waller didn’t see the trade coming either, stating that he was getting ready for mid-April workouts.
The trade is shocking from the Giants’ perspective, who gave up a third-round pick and a chance to draft a tight end in a year where they could have taken someone to grow with a young quarterback. Waller’s recent injury concerns should have scared the G-Men, but the upside of a Pro Bow tight end could pay off big time. However, Waller will have a chip on his shoulder in an offense that will suit his skill set.
8. Juju Smith Schuster signing the New England Patriots
Juju Smith Schuster was on the right side of the most controversial holding call in Super Bowl history. Apparently, his career with the Chiefs was shorter than a TikTok dance. After winning a Super Bowl on a team with the best quarterback in the NFL, Smith Schuster bid Kansas City farewell. The decision makes little sense given how he redeemed his career with the Chiefs.
After a couple of disappointing seasons following Antonio Brown’s departure from the Steelers, the former USC wideout joined the best quarterback in the league. He played well in his first season. Despite missing three games, the former Steeler caught 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns. In his lone season, he proved he could be a volume target. The problem is. The Patriots don’t pass the ball as much. With ill O’Brien as the offensive play-caller, maybe that will change, but going from Mahomes to Mac Jones is a massive downgrade.
7. The Detroit Lions replace Jamaal Williams with David Montgomery
David Montgomery turned to the enemy by signing with the Chicago Bears NFC North rivals. Montgomery replaces fan-favorite running back Jamaal Williams who also led the league in rushing touchdowns. It probably came down to dollars and cents, but it made little sense for the Lions to not keep Williams, instead, he’s going to the Saints Meanwhile, Montgomery is leaving behind an offense that focused on the read option, a benefit to any back.
The Bears finished second in rushing attempts. Instead, Montgomery will go to a team that ranked fifth in passing. Jared Goff is a better quarterback on an offense with a better line, but Montgomery will split carers with Deandre Swift. Montgomery is a powerful, tenacious downhill runner who can set the tone for the offense. He seems like the type of guy ideally suited for Dan Campbell’s offense.
6. Dallas Cowboys acquire Stephon Gilmore from the Colts
For a while, the Dallas Cowboys had to worry about the other cornerback. Now, they have a guy who can boost their secondary and minimize a weakness. Stephen Gilmore is still one of the best corners in the NFL, especially in Cover 3. With Dan Quinn still on, the coaching staff’s expectations will be riding high. Jerry Jones was able to acquire Gilmore from the Colts in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick. The Colts are in an odd transitional period. They still had a chance to come into the 2023 NFL season with one of the league’s best defenses. Without Gilmore, the Colts handicapped their secondary all for a fifth-round pick.
5. Philadelphia Eagles choose Rashaad Penny
Bad news for Eagles fans, the team has signed running back Rashaad Penny to a one-year deal. This comes as a surprise since Miles Sanders, who has been the team’s lead back for the past four seasons, is a free agent and considered one of the top players available at his position. Penny’s career has been a bit rough due to injuries.
He missed most of the 2022 season for the Seattle Seahawks after breaking his leg in October and needing surgery. In fact, he’s missed 43 out of a possible 87 career games over his five NFL seasons due to injuries. But, he has shown potential when healthy, including an impressive rushing streak during the final five games of the 2021 season. Boston Scott has also agreed to a one-year deal to return to the team, and they still have Kenneth Gainwell. Running back by committee, anyone?
4. Miles Sanders signing with the Carolina Panthers
We don’t know who the Panthers will pick with the No. 1 overall pick (CJ Stroud), but that quarterback will have stud behind him. Miles Sanders is moving on from the only state he’s ever played football in and leaving his former teammate behind. Sanders was a second-round draft pick in 2019 and spent all three of his NFL seasons with the Eagles. He even set a team record for most rushing yards by a rookie with 818 yards. Sanders has proven to be a versatile back, with his best season being in 2022, rushing for 1,269 yards and finding the endzone 11 times, earning him a Pro Bowl.
Sanders is headed to Carolina on a three-year, $25 million dollar deal, which means he’ll be the focal point of the team’s offense as they look to rebuild. Sanders has previously played under Panthers running back coach Duce Staley and rushed for 1,685 yards and nine touchdowns during those two seasons.
3. Denver Broncos shopping their wide receivers
So this isn’t a move yet, but the Denver Broncos are apparently not going to let Russ cook. Sean Payton is coming in and looking to shake things up offensively by putting their wide receivers on the trade market. Reports suggest that the team is looking to move Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and KJ Hamler, and they are expecting high prices in return. It’s no secret that the Broncos’ offense was dismal last season, with the team scoring just 18 touchdowns all year. So it’s surprising to hear that they’re potentially getting rid of their top receivers.
Jeudy, in particular, had his best season yet in 2022, with 67 catches for 972 yards and six touchdowns. The Broncos spent their first-round draft pick on him in 2020, making it shocking that they would consider trading him. It remains to be seen how this will all play out, but it’s clear that new head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton are looking to make some serious changes to the Broncos’ wide receiver corps. Talk about a fresh start.
2. Los Angeles Rams traded Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins
In shocking fashion, The Los Angeles Rams have traded their star defensive back Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long. This gives the Dolphins the best defensive backfield in the AFC and easily one of the three duos in the NFL. Xavien Howard is a stud who is looking to bound back, having Ramsey will help. Sure, Ramsey gave up seven touchdowns last season, but Vic Fangio’s defense will help protect him.
Ramsey, a Pro Bowl selection in each of his four seasons with the Rams, was a key piece in their Super Bowl LVI-winning 2021 season. He produced 242 total tackles, 10 interceptions, and 47 passes defensed in his 57 games with the team. The Fins are getting a stud who will make yet another Pro Bowl. With Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen in the division, this was the perfect move.
1. No team bid for Lamar Jackson
Every NFL fan knows that quarterbacks are the heart and soul of the game. They can make or break a team’s season, and often come with a hefty price tag. So when former MVP Lamar Jackson became available via the non-exclusive franchise tag, it was shocking that not a single team showed interest.
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate what we’re dealing with here. Jackson is one of the most exciting athletes in all of professional sports, a legitimate franchise quarterback, and he’s only 26 years old. It’s mind-boggling that no team is willing to take a chance on him.
This is a league where having a great quarterback can mean the difference between winning and losing, both on the field and in the eyes of the fans. Just imagine the excitement if Jackson were to join the Carolina Panthers or the Atlanta Falcons. These teams would suddenly become relevant and would likely get prime-time games every week. Throw away the idea of the uncertainty of Jackson. What’s more uncertain? A rookie quarterback or a 26-year-old passer who already won an MVP who has yet to reach his ceiling?
So why is no one interested in Jackson? It’s simple: NFL owners are afraid of fully guaranteed contracts for quarterbacks. They’re so afraid, in fact, that they’re willing to pass up on one of the most talented players in the league.
It’s a shame that we won’t get to see Jackson recreate the magic of Vick 2.0 in some red, white, and black uniforms. But the lack of interest in him is even more shocking than his availability. NFL teams need to take a chance on this incredible player before it’s too late.