Jordan Stephenson – South Bureau Chief
officially March 16 at 4 p.m. Also, trades were made official that same day. There was no shortage of important league-altering news, starting with two MVP caliber QBs and all pro wide receivers.
Since the Packers lost to the 49ers in the Divisional Playoff game, there was contagious uncertainty on what Aaron Rogers would do next season. He had three options: either retire, ask for a trade, or sign a deserving extension, after becoming a back-to-back MVP. He waited until March 8 to inform the Packers of his decision, which was coincidently the same day the deadline to franchise tag All-Pro Packers receiver, Davante Adams.
So, on March 8, Rogers announced on Twitter that he’ll be returning to the Packers. Also, that both sides are working on a new contract that would lower his salary cap figure, while also giving him contractual clarity throughout his 40s. A week later, Rogers signed a 3-year $150.8 million extension, which is basically $50 million a year, which also made him the highest paid QB at that time.
To bolster their team and especially their defense, the Chargers acquired All-Pro defender Khalil Mack from the Bears, for a 2nd and a 6th round pick. A trade that took place this weekend, was the Cowboys trading Amari Cooper to the Browns, for a 5th and a 6th round pick. One of the biggest and most shocking trades this offseason was the Chiefs trading all-pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, in exchange for a 2022 1st, 2nd, and 4th round pick, and as well as a 2023 4th and 6th round pick.
They also signed Hill to a 4-year $120 million extension. All together that’s five picks, and the Chiefs will assuredly be using most of these picks of wide receivers to try and make up for Hill’s production. The Dolphins facilitated this trade to give Tua Tagovailoa the best offensive pieces possible and giving him no more excuses to perform at a pro bowl level. If Tua is playing well or gets injured, the Dolphins signed veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater to fill in for him, if any of those things happen. They also signed pro bowler left tackle Terron Armstead to a 5-year $ 70 million deal.
This signing was to protect Tua’s blindside, and sure up and inconsistent offense line. The Dolphins traded wide receiver Devante Parker and a 2022 5th round pick to their division rival Patriots for a 2023 3rd round pick. The Patriots facilitated this deal because they need a No.1 wide receiver and the Dolphins had just traded for Hill. That same week the Dolphins signed their all-pro cornerback to a 5-year extension deal, with $50.6 million in new money, which also made him have the most guaranteed money by a corner back in NFL history, for about two weeks. Then the Browns signed pro bowl corner back Denzel Ward to a 5-year $100.5 million extension, to become the highest paid corner back in NFL history.
Additionall, a grand jury didn’t indict Deshaun Watson, which means he won’t face criminal charges, after 22 women filed lawsuits against him; also a 2nd grand jury didn’t indict him. Watson then was traded to the Browns from the Texans, in exchange for 1st round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024; also 2023 3rd round pick and a 2024 4th round pick. They also gave
Watson a new 5-year $230 million fully guaranteed contract. This became the highest guaranteed contract in NFL history.
Stepj39@mail.Broward.edu