Aaron Rodgers announced his return to the Green Bay Packers for the 2022 season. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks traded Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for two first-round picks, two seconds, and a fifth-round pick. The 2022 NFL season has begun, unofficially.
Broncos strike first
March 8, 2022, six days away from the beginning of the legal tampering period. Eight days before the official beginning of the 2022 NFL league year and the opening of free agency, the Denver Broncos made a huge power play by trading for Russell Wilson.
Wilson had a down year in Seattle last season. Battling injuries and a porous offensive line, Wilson and the Seahawks endured their first losing season in his 10-year career. With the Broncos, Wilson will have the best offensive line he’s had in years. He will have three viable receiving options, a potent rushing attack and a defense.
The Broncos will have the first Super Bowl winning quarterback under center since Peyton Manning in 2015. A major shot in the arm for a team struggling to find a long-term solution at quarterback since John Elway retired.
2022 Franchise Tags
Davante Adams, $20.1M
Chris Godwin, $19.1M
Cam Robinson, $16.6M
Orlando Brown Jr., $16.6M
Jessie Bates, $12.9M
Mike Gesicki, $10.9M
David Njoku, $10.9M
Dalton Schultz, $10.9MHistorical breakdown of #NFL tags: https://t.co/fM5ZX7vHBx
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 8, 2022
NFL: Popping tags
In the grand scheme of things, this day was only supposed to be about the deadline for tagging players. All in all, eight players had the franchise tag placed upon them: Chris Godwin, Mike Gesicki, Dalton Schultz, David Njoku, Orlando Brown, Cam Robinson, Jessie Bates, and Davante Adams.
Notable omissions: J.C. Jackson of the New England Patriots and Harold Landry of the Tennessee Titans were notable omissions. Jackson will test the free agent market, hoping to cash in. Landry, on the other hand, signed a five-year, $87.5 million extension with $52.5 million guaranteed. Landry’s contract is one that Las Vegas Raiders fans should pay particularly close attention to. The Raiders are engaged in contract negotiations with Maxx Crosby. He and Landry have comparable career stats, while Landry has an extra year in the league.
NFL: A-Rod’s decision and more
BREAKING: According to my sources.. @AaronRodgers12 will officially be returning to the Green Bay Packers.
There is no deal in place currently but there is said to be a Cap Friendly deal on the way.
Retirement was a real consideration & in the end
🗣 HE IS BACK WITH THE PACK pic.twitter.com/1lpdcLxyPL
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2022
Aaron Rodgers chose Tuesday, March 8, 2022, to reach his highly anticipated decision. Rodgers remains a Green Bay Packer. Rodgers promised to reach a quick decision and was a man of his word. The financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. However, the contract allowed the Packers enough cap room to franchise tag Adams.
In a move certainly not to be overlooked, the Los Angeles Chargers re-signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a three-year, $60 million contract with $40 million guaranteed. Williams had 1146 yards, nine touchdowns, and 76 catches and averaged a whopping 15.1 yards per catch in 2021. In his five-year career with the Chargers, Williams has averaged 16.1 yards per reception on 227 catches. Williams, as an established deep threat, benefits from Keenan Allen’s presence. Allen continues to draw double teams and the majority of his opponents’ defensive game planning.
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*Top Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
