Ranking the top 10 NFL offseason transactions: Tom Brady unretiring, Deshaun Watson blockbuster headline list

It’s very possible this has been the most wild offseason in NFL history, and we aren’t even close to finished. Free agent deals are flying, surprising trades are occurring and quarterbacks are leaving the only NFL homes they have ever known to see if the grass is greener on the other side. At this rate, don’t be surprised if Brett Favre comes out of retirement again.

The quarterback carousel is spinning at a high rate, star wide receivers are joining new offenses and we are seeing some record-breaking contracts. There’s so much to recap, but let’s attempt to rank the top 10 NFL offseason transactions we have seen thus far. As for the criteria we are using to craft this list, we are taking both the impact of the trade or signing into account, and how surprising they were as well. 

10. Von Miller signs monster deal with Bills

Miller clearly has some football left in him. In eight regular-season games with the Los Angeles Rams, Miller recorded 31 combined tackles and five sacks. In the Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded two sacks and one pass defended. While he turns 33 this month, Miller still landed a monster six-year deal worth $120 million that includes $51.345 million guaranteed, per CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson. 

The Rams went out and got Miller to help them win a Super Bowl. Now, the Bills are doing the same thing.

9. Amari Cooper traded to the Browns

The Browns are all-in this offseason! Not only did they get a new quarterback in Deshaun Watson, but they also traded for a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver. Cooper had a solid season in 2021 even though he didn’t get to 1,000 receiving yards, but we all know he still has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys traded Cooper to the Browns in exchange for 2022 fifth- and sixth-round picks. Dallas also sent its own sixth-round pick away so Cleveland would take on the remaining three years and $60 million left on his deal. However, Cleveland did rework Cooper’s contract. 

In each of the last two offseasons, many have tried to tab the Browns as a Super Bowl sleeper. They never were quite as good as we all probably expected them to be, but maybe that’s about to change. Maybe the hype is warranted now. 

8. Khalil Mack traded to the Chargers

The Chicago Bears sent Khalil Mack to the Chargers in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick and 2023 sixth-round pick. Mack is coming off of foot surgery, but he’s still one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Even though he played in just seven games in 2021, he recorded six sacks and 19 combined tackles. He’s going to make the Chargers better, and now, we are all looking at this franchise as one that’s ready to take a big step forward in 2022. Mack and Joey Bosa controlling the edges should be fun. 

7. Matt Ryan traded to the Colts

The Atlanta Falcons missed out on Watson, but also fractured their relationship with Ryan in the process. While he’s been their franchise signal-caller since 2008, the Falcons made the decision to move on this week, sending him to the Colts for a third-round pick. Ryan is about to turn 37 and isn’t exactly coming cheap, but the Falcons lost this trade with them taking on a new record for dead money ($40.525 million). This was something not many saw coming, and may be a move that doesn’t help either franchise. 

6. Allen Robinson joins the Rams

The Rams shocked the NFL world this month by signing Robinson to a reported three-year, $46.5 million deal, and this is an addition that gives them a real chance to repeat as champions next year. Plus, we are finally going to get to watch Robinson play with a serviceable quarterback. A-Rob has three seasons over 1,000 receiving yards despite being stuck in QB purgatory. I imagine this is a move that’s going to rejuvenate him in a big way.

5. Russell Wilson traded to the Broncos

I think it’s possible we could look back at this move a year from now and discuss it much like we talk about the Matthew Stafford trade. The Broncos finally getting a legitimate quarterback immediately makes them Super Bowl contenders — if they can survive their stacked division that is. But Denver has a roster that’s ready to go. The Broncos have a talented wide receiving corps, a solid offensive line and a top 10 defense with playmakers in the secondary. Adding Randy Gregory at pass rusher was a notable move as well.

“Mr. Unlimited” in Mile High should be exciting, as this is a change Wilson has reportedly been looking for.

4. Davante Adams traded to the Raiders

Adams being dealt to the Raiders was one of the most surprising moves of the offseason for multiple reasons. First of all, with the Packers retaining Aaron Rodgers, it was thought Adams would want to play at least another year in Green Bay. It was also notable that Rodgers reportedly knew Adams was gone back when he was negotiating his multiyear extension. Another facet of this transaction is that Adams receives a new deal which reportedly makes him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. The new contract is worth $141.25 million over five years, giving Adams an average annual salary of $28.25 million, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Adams is now reunited with his college quarterback in Derek Carr, who had a solid campaign in 2021 despite not having a consistent No. 1 outside threat.  

3. Aaron Rodgers returns to the Packers

Not many saw Rodgers re-upping with the Packers for the 2022 season. It was reported last year that the NFL’s reigning MVP wanted a change of scenery, and was upset with how the Packers front office was conducting business. Rodgers returned to the fold for the 2021 campaign, but was promised the franchise would revisit his situation at the end of the year. The star quarterback won MVP again, surveyed his options and ultimately decided to return to Green Bay. 

The new contract he signed with the Packers was also surprising, as the new deal is essentially a four-year historic contract worth just under $160 million, per CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. If you’re interested in what the numbers actually are, CBS Sports’ Patrik Walker took a deep dive into the deal. You can take a look at his piece, here.

2. Deshaun Watson chooses the Browns

After a full year of uncertainty, Watson has finally chosen his new team. Baker Mayfield is out and Watson is on his way to Cleveland to begin his new chapter. Not only was it surprising that he picked the Browns, but it was surprising how the whole situation went down. It was reported that the Browns were eliminated from the Watson sweepstakes, and the next thing we knew, they had not only reentered the conversation, but stole Watson from the other teams in the NFC South. The reason Cleveland emerged victorious had to be the contract, as Watson receives a new, FULLY GUARANTEED five-year, $230 million deal.  

Watson will likely be suspended due to his off-field problems and there’s no telling how he will look after taking a year off. But, he’s a top 10 quarterback in the NFL, and certainly an upgrade over Mayfield. 

1. Tom Brady retires, then unretires

Even Selection Sunday in college basketball was taken over by the NFL, as Brady announced he would be returning for his 23rd season after retiring 40 days prior. What makes this the top offseason transaction is the levels to this story. Brady was seen as a player who was never close to calling it quits. He had even talked about playing until 50. However, things changed toward the late stages of the 2021 season. CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported on Jan. 23 that several of Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates, including some very close to Brady, were prepared for this playoff run to be his last. Sure enough, Brady ended up retiring. 

What happened? What changed for Brady for him to want to hang up the cleats? He said in an Instagram post that he wasn’t going to make that “competitive commitment” anymore, but apparently felt that way for just 40 days. Brady is back citing “unfinished business,” and he’s even out there recruiting for the Buccaneers. Even when Brady decided to retire, there was plenty of noise saying that nothing had been set in stone just yet. Still, when the man seen as the greatest player of all time decides to retire, you’re inclined to believe him!