As the first week of NFL activity comes upon us, teams will want to prove right off the bat that they’ve been improving over the offseason.
Sometimes it’s through the draft, when rookies will show up. A new trainer can also offer a new voice that will revive the troops.
GMs are also obviously opting for staff changes and there have been some major ones in the most recent offseason.
Some names end up on the back of a new uniform and here are some players to follow in their new environment.
A revival with the Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts are hoping quarterback Carson Wentz can put behind him the horrific last season he saw with the Philadelphia Eagles.
They secured his services in March in return for a third-round pick in 2021 and a second-round pick conditional in the next draft. After a scare at training camp as a foot injury heralded a long absence for the 28-year-old, Wentz could make his debut for his new team on Sunday ahead of the Seattle Seahawks.
The one who helped in the regular season to put the Eagles in the playoffs in 2017, Nick Foles finished the job for the Super Bowl.
Things got worse for the former second overall pick in 2016. He gave way to Jalen Hurts last year as he concluded the campaign with 15 interceptions and 50 quarterback sacks, all-time highs in the NFL even though he only played 12 games. It remains to be seen if he can breathe new life into his young Indianapolis career.
Stafford and Goff exchange seats
The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions gave their roster a whole new look as they traded quarterbacks.
Jared Goff took over Detroit with a third-round pick in 2021 and first-round selections in 2022 and 2023.
Stafford will have the opportunity to lead Sean McVay’s attack in Los Angeles. Since joining the Lions in 2009, Stafford has only tasted the playoffs on three occasions.
Goff was never able to regain his form from 2017 and 2018, so the Rams decided to go for the 33-year-old veteran. He will have a lot of receiving talent at his disposal with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and speed in DeSean Jackson.
Fuller and Jones also quit
Will Fuller is heading with the Miami Dolphins after a roller coaster season with the Houston Texans. He shone after DeAndre Hopkins left for Arizona, but saw his season cut short in November after a six-game suspension for violating anti-doping policy.
Even though he missed five games, Fuller had 879 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Texans also conceded the departure of star defensive end JJ Watt for Arizona. After losing Hopkins to the Cardinals, Watt joins his former teammate. If he can avoid injury, he could pay off greatly for the Cards who offered him a two-year, $ 28 million pact.
He had asked the Texans to release him after a season with a 4-12 record. In 16 games of 2020, Watt made 52 tackles, five sacks, one interception and one touchdown.
A big name among receivers has also changed address as Julio Jones left Atlanta to now play with the Tennessee Titans. It is thus grafted to the groups of recipients which already included AJ Brown. In just nine games last year, the 32-year-old wide receiver amassed 771 yards and scored three touchdowns.
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