The 2022 NFL offseason has brought some of the most shocking moves in the history of the league that will leave it looking completely different from last year. 

Davante Adams being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Many people thought the drama between wide receiver Davante Adams and the Green Bay Packers would be over after the re-signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, it seems that Adams hit his breaking point with the Packers. Adams refused to play on the franchise tag, essentially forcing his way out of Green Bay. 

The move makes sense for all parties involved. Green Bay did not want to be stuck with a disgruntled star WR and they got ample compensation in the form of a first and second round pick in this year’s draft. Adams got a new five-year, $141.25 million contract, with $67.5 million guaranteed from the Las Vegas Raiders according to Spotrac, making him the highest paid WR in NFL history at the time. The trade reunited him with his former college QB and roommate Derek Carr . The Raiders now have a bona fide number-one WR to pair with Carr to try and win a stacked AFC West division. 

Tyreek Hill being traded to the Miami Dolphins 

The Kansas City Chiefs trading star WR Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins was the most blindsiding decision made during the offseason. Hill became upset following the contract Adams received, believing he should be the NFL’s highest-paid WR. After contract talks stalled, the Chiefs decided to move on from Hill, finding a trade partner in the Dolphins. 

The Chiefs were able to get a massive package of draft picks including a 1st, 2nd, and 4th in this year’s draft. Hill benefits immensely from the trade, getting a four-year, $120 million contract with $72.2 million guaranteed according to Spotrac, now making him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history over Adams. 

For the Dolphins, they get the chance at having one of the most explosive offenses in the league, pairing Hill with the budding WR Jaylen Waddle. Miami is giving QB Tua Tagovailoa all the opportunity they can with this move. Now it’s up to him to prove he was worthy of the fifth overall pick in the 2020 draft. 

Quarterbacks on the move 

This year’s QB carousel has shaken up the league for years to come with many prominent names on the move to new teams. The first big move of the offseason was Russell Wilson being traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos. Wilson had become upset with how the offense was being run in Seattle, so he forced his way to the Broncos in exchange for multiple first and second round picks. The Broncos are now set up to take on the vaunted AFC West.

The next big move comes from the Cleveland Browns, who made a huge splash trading for QB Deshaun Watson in exchange for three first, a third and two fourth round picks. The Browns came to the decision that Baker Mayfield was not going to be able to lead them to a Super Bowl, so they went out and got a top-five QB who can take them to that next step. 

However, Watson does come with a lot of baggage, specifically 22 cases of sexual assault or harassment. Watson was not indicted by two different grand juries for the crimes alleged against him, so for the time being the Browns are hoping all that could be put in the rear-view mirror in pursuit of a Super Bowl.