The NFL is a business. And what is a business without a few shifts in employment? This year’s hectic Free Agency period has surprised and entertained the public, as nearly every team in the League has had a roster change that completely altered the face of their organization.
One of the biggest moves so far in Free Agency 2015 was the signing of controversy- and suspension-magnet Ndamukong Suh, a defensive tackle who moved from the cold streets of Detroit to the sunny beaches of Miami. Suh signed a colossal six-year, $114-million contract with the Dolphins, making him the highest-paid defensive player of all time.
The division with the most shake-ups, however, has been the NFC East. First, the Cowboys placed a franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant, making him unable to move to another team for at least one season. The Cowboys Pro Bowl-starting running back DeMarco Murray also shifted his location in the division, signing a five-year, $40-million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. To make up for this loss, the Cowboys almost immediately signed powerful Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden to a two-year deal. This was undoubtedly an attempt by Philly to reinforce their backfield, after losing another star running back in LeSean McCoy, who signed an identical five-year, $40-million deal with the Bills. The Eagles also resigned QB Mark Sanchez, but lost talented wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to Kansas City. Responding to the improved offenses of other NFC East Teams, the Redskins beefed up their defense, signing safeties Chris Culliver and Jeron Johnson, as well as 6’3”, 331-pound defensive tackle Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton from Denver.
To note just two out of a multitude of Free Agent signings, guard Mike Iupati transferred from San Francisco to Arizona, and the Seattle Seahawks backed up their already star-studded lineup by signing tight end Jimmy Graham from New Orleans. It’s almost impossible to summarize a nearly fully complete Free Agency period. An innumerable number of moves, re-signings, and releases changed the face of several teams’ lineup this season, making the 2015-16 season one of the most anticipated in recent memory.