Free Agency Frenzy
Living in a time devoid of all live sports can be very depressing. However, the past week was graced with NFL free agency to help distract from the pandemic and subsequent economic collapse. For those who don’t know, Free agency is a period of the NFL offseason in which players who have come to the end of their contract are free to go to other teams. This year’s free agency was highly anticipated even before we knew March madness, the MLB, the NBA, and pretty much everything else would be suspended or canceled. This is mostly because multiple high profile players including Tom Brady were hitting free agency this year. His decision, along with many other trades and deals made for an entertaining week.
To start, one of the more surprising deals came early in the week with star Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins going to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for RB David Johnson, A 2020 2nd round pick, and a 2021 4th round pick. This trade shocked NFL fans because of DeAndre Hopkins, a 4xprobowler and one of the best receivers in the league, was given up in exchange for a few late-round picks a little known running back. There is speculation that the trade was the result of a divide between Hopkins and Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, but there has been no official statement on those rumors. This trade is great for the Cardinals, as they now have an offense loaded with weapons. This offense includes 2019 rookie of the year QB Kyler Murray, Veteran Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and DeAndre Hopkins.
In the most anticipated move of the 2020 offseason, Tom Brady is now officially a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Since the beginning of the past season, the conversation of where Brady would end up percolated through professional football. Tom Brady spent the entirety of his 19 years in the NFL in New England and while there, established himself as one of the greatest players of all time. But for his 20th season, Tom Brady will be dawning the black and red of the Buccaneers. This news was unfortunate but not devastating for most Pats fans as they will still have a solid team and the continued leadership of Bill Bellicheck, who is potentially the greatest coach of all time. Bucs fans, on the other hand, were overjoyed by this decision. Last year, they had an underwhelming season with QB Jameis Winston who led the league in passing yards (5,109) and TD’s (33), but also led the league in interceptions (30). With Tom Brady in the pocket and skilled receivers such as Mike Evans downfield, The Bucs could be the first team ever to play the Superbowl at their home stadium next year.
The Falcons also made some very solid deals during free agency, acquiring a few players they’ll need to compete in the NFC south which now has Tom Brady and Drew Brees as opposing quarterbacks. The Falcons released Running back Devonta Freeman and Tight End Austin Hooper who were both solid players. The Falcons also gained two players from the LA Rams that should be very productive next season. The first is linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. who was the 3rd overall pick in 2015 and has had many great seasons so far. Todd Gurley, a UGA alum who is considered one of the best running backs in the NFL, was also picked up by the Falcons last week. With the addition of Gurley, the Falcons are poised to start a record, 11 former 1st round picks on offense.
No matter how the 2020 season turns out with all of these players representing new teams, at least the free agency period has provided us something to talk about in such grim times. Whether you’re now full of hope or dread for the 2020 season at least we are one week closer.