Every year, the super bowl is the climax of the NFL season, as once a champion is crowned the buzz dies down for the sport of football.  However, football talk starts right back up in late March, as the offseason begins.  Trades and acquisitions in free agency can leave the league in a much different state than the league was in prior to the offseason.  This year, it was no different, as the league saw a massive shake up which led some people to call this offseason the craziest ever.

Most of the crazy transactions occurred from the teams in the AFC West.  The Denver Broncos were expected to make a move to acquire Aaron Rodgers at the start of the offseason, but when Rodgers signed a four year extension with the Packers, Denver turned in a different direction.  They traded for Russell Wilson, while sending away quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and multiple draft picks, which included two first round picks.  This trade gives the Broncos a much needed boost at the quarterback position, and instantly makes them contenders to win the division.  The Las Vegas Raiders also made a splash, making improvements on the defensive and offensive sides of the ball.  Defensively, they added Chandler Jones in free agency, greatly improving their pass rush.  Jones has been an elite EDGE since entering, posting double digit sacks in seven of his nine seasons so far.  The Raiders also made the addition of Davante Adams, who they received in a trade with the Green Bay Packers.  The Raiders sent a first rounder and a second rounder to the Packers in exchange for the All-Pro wide receiver.  “Adams was a great addition and will elevate their offense to the next level” said freshman Zach Tessler.  It’s hard to disagree with him, as QB Derek Carr now has his former college teammate Adams to throw to, as well as dynamic tight end Darren Waller and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow.  The last team which generated buzz in the AFC West is the Los Angeles Chargers.  After they re-signed receiver Mike Williams to a contract extension, they traded for one of the best defensive ends in the league in Khalil Mack.  While Mack may be past his prime, the former Bears and Raiders lineman still is one of the best run stopping defensive ends in the league, and he also provides great pass rush.  He and Joey Bosa will team with new defensive tackle signing Sebastion Joseph-Day to make up one of the most fearsome defensive fronts in football.  The Chargers also added a Pro-Bowl cornerback in J.C. Jackson, who was second in interceptions with eight last season. All three of these teams will compete with the Kansas City Chiefs to make up one of the best divisions in the whole league.

There are plenty of teams outside of the AFC West who made great improvements to their team, especially teams who bolstered their offensive line.  The Miami Dolphins got some protection for young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa when they signed former Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead.  The Dolphins hope he can stay healthy, because he is a top five offensive lineman in the league when he is healthy.  The Jaguars also got some reinforcements for their young QB, as they brought in Brandon Scherff to give Trevor Lawrence some time in the pocket.  Scherff played very well at the offensive guard position for the Washington Commanders last season, so the Jacksonville front office is hoping that it translates to next season.  One last team with a developing quarterback in need of some time is the New York Jets.  The Jets went out and signed Laken Tomlinson, who has been brought in to New York in hopes of allowing quarterback Zach Wilson more time to unleash the cannon and throw the ball deep.

The offseason has been crazy thus far, and it is just getting started.  Former All-Pro defensive backs like Tyrann Mathieu and Stephon Gillmore remain unsigned, and the NFL Draft has yet to occur.  Teams can still drastically improve before the season, and the league will be shaken up even more through more trades.  It remains to be seen how teams can improve their chances of hoisting the Lombardi trophy in the upcoming weeks.