NFL free agency is not over. There are still plenty of veterans out there waiting to sign and help their new squad. However, as usual, it appears that the majority of the work has already been completed within a week after the so-called legal tampering period began. We witnessed massive movement throughout the league, with hopeful organizations paying millions of dollars to free players.
Teams a week into free agency:Chicago Bears: It’s difficult to find a good receiver in the NFL. The cost of a No. 1 wideout has risen. The Bears have managed to be inventive and add a couple of solid ones during the last two offseasons.
Last offseason, they took advantage of the Carolina Panthers’ desperate need for the No. 1 overall pick in order to trade for DJ Moore. Then, this summer, the Bears took advantage of the Los Angeles Chargers’ salary-cap issues and traded for Keenan Allen. Allen’s fourth-round draft decision was not cheap, but the Bears have significantly improved their receiving group. Allen has more career yards than any other receiver in Bears history.
Not everything went well for the Bears this offseason. They overplayed their hand with Justin Fields and had to trade him to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a far better bargain for Pittsburgh. However, the Bears are preparing to draft Caleb Williams (or surprise everyone by selecting another top-tier quarterback prospect), as well as Allen and other veterans such as running back D’Andre Swift and safety Kevin Byard. The Bears finished strong last season and are looking better following the first week of free agency.
The Detroit Lions are the defending NFC North champions — that still sounds strange, doesn’t it? — and were in a good position this offseason. They used some salary-cap space to address areas of need and performed admirably.
had some salary-cap space to address areas of need, and did well at that task.
They signed cornerback Amik Robertson and traded for cornerback Carlton Davis III. They signed defensive end Marcus Davenport and defensive tackle DJ Reader. The Lions needed more talent on the line and some help at cornerback and checked both boxes.
The Lions were on the verge of a Super Bowl last season. On paper, they’re better than they were in that NFC championship game.
Green Bay Packers: Notice a theme? The NFC North is going to be very good, with the top three teams all getting better (that fourth team … we’ll get there)
