Day 1 of free agency on Monday gave us some thrills, from the DeAndre Hopkins and Stefon Diggs trades to giant contracts for players like Amari Cooper, Austin Hooper and some lesser-heralded offensive lineman.
Since our first round of free agency winners and losers, there have been plenty of other moves to grade and dissect — perhaps you heard about a GOAT heading to a sunnier location? Or about some other quarterbacks changing zip codes?
So let’s declare who’s won and lost since then, and this time, I will not repeat that NFL fans are winners because we get some news to concentrate on during a mostly sports-less time.
Winners
Tom Brady
Despite the fact that I don’t think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are contenders right away with Brady replacing Jameis Winston, Brady wins because he got to choose his own fate for what’s basically the first time in his career and he ended up with a better set of offensive weapons to work with. Plus, the weather in Florida is nice, I hear, and more help could be on the way:
Philadelphia Eagles
They were SO desperate for cornerback help, and now they reportedly have it:
Adding Javon Hargrave to an already-menacing defensive line rotation is also a great move.
Las Vegas Raiders
Give Mike Mayock credit: he got a steal with Cory Littleton’s contract. They added depth on defense with Jeff Health, Maliek Collins, Carl Nassib and Eli Apple, and Jason Witten will help in the locker room. Knock on wood if you’re with me.
Los Angeles Chargers
I said it on Wednesday: going with Tyrod Taylor — as it’s been reported — and drafting a QB of the future isn’t a bad move at all. But the team also added some solid free agents in CB Chris Harris, OT Bryan Bulaga and DT Linval Joseph.
Losers
Mitchell Trubisky
We knew the Chicago Bears would probably find a vet to compete with him. Now, he’s got to fight off Nick Foles.
Jameis Winston
The starting options appear to be drying up. Brady replaced him in Tampa, the Chargers appear to be going with Tyrod Taylor (and perhaps drafting their QB of the future?), Philip Rivers’ took the starting job with the Colts, Teddy Bridgewater is off to Carolina … not great. He may end up as a backup. The best option would be for the Patriots to ask him to eat Ws.
Detroit Lions
Slay forced his way out, and I don’t see the moves to get Duron Harmon, Danny Shelton and Jamie Collins as completely game-changing.
New England Patriots*
This is a place-holder until we see what they do at quarterback. Is it Jarrett Stidham who’s the next Brady? Do they maneuver and sign Jameis Winston or trade for Cam Newton or Andy Dalton? Do they move up in the draft? Until we find out, they’ve had a bad offseason, to say the least.
