Following an action-packed off-season, the 2018-19 NFL pre-season is finally upon us as we prepare for kick-off between the Falcons and Eagles in September.
It’s time to discuss and dissect the biggest moments from the off-season as we review each team’s biggest headline. First up we take a look at the American Football Conference.
Buffalo Bills: Goodbye Tyrod, hello AJ
Tyrod Taylor has been traded to the Browns after leading the Bills to the playoffs in 2017 and is replaced by AJ McCarron, signing a two-year, $10 million deal. Josh Allen was drafted seventh overall from Wyoming and will serve as McCarron’s understudy.
McCarron is no stranger to the playoffs, helping the Bengals to secure a wildcard spot in 2015 after Andy Dalton fractured the thumb on his throwing hand. He has only played four games since then but the Bills are placing plenty of faith in the 27-year-old to lead them in 2018.
Miami Dolphins: Landry, Suh released
The Dolphins have made the bold call to release star players Jarvis Landry and Ndamukong Suh but it has allowed them to make some big signings. Wide receivers Danny Amendola and Albert Wilson have come over from the Patriots and Chiefs respectively, serving as replacements to Landry.
Meanwhile, Josh Sitton will bolster the offensive line, joining on a two-year, $18 million deal from the Bears. The Dolphins’ offense is taking shape with Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler and Bryce Petty battling for the starting quarterback role while Frank Gore is set to explode in the backfield.
New England Patriots: Julian Edelman cops four-game suspension
The hero of Super Bowl LI, Julian Edelman, has been suspended for four games due to a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Edelman’s unsuccessful appeal means that he will miss games against the Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Dolphins, and leaves Tom Brady without his favourite receiving target.
The 32-year-old missed the 2017 season with an ACL injury in the preseason. Brandin Cooks has been traded to Rams, thinning the Patriots’ receiving corps, however, whispers in Foxborough suggest that Jacob Hollister could act as a temporary replacement.
New York Jets: Darrelle Revis retires from football
Well-respected cornerback Darrelle Revis announced his retirement from football at 33 years old. Revis was selected in the Pro Bowl seven times.
He spent eight seasons with the Jets, spending short stints in Tampa Bay, New England and Kansas City late in his career before returning to New York in the offseason where he decided to retire as a Jet.
Revis holds the franchise record for the longest interception touchdown run with a 100-yard effort against the Dolphins in 2011 and has defended the most career passes (111).
Baltimore Ravens: Ravens unveil new-look receiving corps
It is out with the old and in with the new at Baltimore as Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace make way for the receiving trio of Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead.
2014 Pro Bowler Maclin joins archrivals the Steelers following a one-year stint in Baltimore while Mike Wallace has a found a new home with the Super Bowl champions, Philadelphia Eagles.
Michael Crabtree provides a huge boost to the Ravens’ offense, joining from Oakland with 51 career touchdowns while John Brown arrives from the Cardinals and Willie Snead joins following a breakout season with the Saints.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn joins Bengals offensive line
Cincinnati’s offensive line has been their biggest weakness for a number of seasons, however, they have received a major boost with the addition of left tackle Cordy Glenn.
Glenn joins the Bengals from the Buffalo Bills but he only played six games last season due to an ongoing foot injury.
Despite this, Glenn is reportedly showing positive signs in the AFC North as the Bengals build toward the playoffs.
Cleveland Browns: Mayfield drafted No.1 overall
With the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Baker Mayfield.
After much conjecture, the Browns got their man with 2017 Heisman Trophy winner drafted first overall.
It is a positive sign for the future of the franchise as they try to rebuild having been the league’s perennial strugglers. They will receive a further boost with Tyrod Taylor joining from the Bills after leading them to the NFL Playoffs last year.
Taylor is expected to be handed the starting quarterback role and will help groom Mayfield into a future franchise quarterback.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers lock in quarterback contingency plan
While Ben Roethlisberger is committed to playing three to five more seasons for the Steelers, Pittsburgh may have locked in his future successor with Mason Rudolph drafted in the third round.
Rudolph impressed in his senior year at Oklahoma State, passing for 35 touchdowns with a rating of 170.0 and rushing for ten touchdowns.
Houston Texans: Aaron Colvin signs a four-year deal worth $34 million from Jaguars
The Texans haven’t shaken up the scene over the offseason, however, they have made a key acquisition with Colvin signing a long-term deal from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The cornerback was key in guiding the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game. He picked off Tyrod Taylor in the AFC Wild Card game, helping his team to victory over the Bills as they went on a strong run through the postseason.
Indianapolis Colts: Frank Reich to bring Super Bowl-winning formula to the Midwest
The Colts had a terrible season in 2017 after Andrew Luck missed the season through injury. Indianapolis’ 4-12 record was their worst since 2011, one of only two in the last fifteen years where they have lost as many games as they have won.
After helping the Eagles to victory at Super Bowl LII as offensive coordinator, Reich has been handed the keys to the city by Jim Irsay, with the franchise hoping for a change of fortunes in 2018 with Andrew Luck fit again.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Malik Jackson thinks Jaguars can go 16-0
The Jaguars returned to the playoffs last year and defensive tackle Malik Jackson believes they can do even better in 2018, predicting an undefeated run through the regular season.
Last year’s team fell short at the final hurdle on their way to the Super Bowl, losing to the Patriots. However, with Blake Bortles re-signing, Leonard Fournette entering his sophomore season and Taren Bryan joining Jackson in the defensive line, the Jaguars may well be a contender to take the AFC Conference.
Tennessee Titans: Vrabel to bring defensive focus to Nashville
After serving as the Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2017, 3-time Super Bowl Champion Mike Vrabel will make his head coaching debut at the Titans.
Tennessee were ranked 28th in defence for the 2017 season and Vrabel will make that a key focus with his background as a Pro Bowl linebacker.
It has otherwise been a relatively quiet offseason, however, the Titans’ defensive line will receive a boost with the acquisition of cornerback Malcolm Butler from the Patriots.
Denver Broncos: Can Case Keenum restore the Broncos’ powers?
Hot of the heels of leading the Vikings to the NFC Championship, Keenum arrives in the Mile High City as part of a trade for Trevor Siemian.
Keenum will deal a lot of damage from the pocket, however, questions still remain over the rest of the Broncos’ O-line. Their pass rush, while not nearly as experienced as 2015, has been bolstered by Bradley Chubb, joining Von Miller and Shane Ray.
Kansas City Chiefs: Enter Patrick Mahomes II
With Alex Smith traded to the Redskins, Mahomes is set to step in to the starting quarterback role at Arrowhead Stadium.
The 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft impressed in the 2017 preseason before leading the Chiefs to a 27-24 win over the Broncos in Week 17 last year with 22 for 35 and 284 yards.
Mahomes has plenty of hype to live up to but no doubt, Andy Reid could have the Chiefs’ future franchise quarterback on his books.
Los Angeles Chargers: Gates exits Costa Mesa
After 15 seasons in San Diego (and Los Angeles), 8-time Pro Bowler and future hall-of-famer Antonio Gates has hit the free agency vacating a wealth of experiencing in the Chargers’ receiving corps.
In a further hit to the Ken Whisehnunt-led offense, touted successor Hunter Henry is now out for the season with an ACL injury.
Philip Rivers will however still have Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin as passing targets as well as seventh overall pick Mike Williams while Melvin Gordon returns for his fourth season in the backfield.
Oakland Raiders: Jon Gruden returns to Oakland
17 years since his last stint in Oakland, Gruden returns from the broadcasting booth on a ten-year, $100 million deal to take the reins from Jack Del Rio.
Things are looking bright for the Raiders after a 6-10 season in 2017 with Jordy Nelson, Martavis Bryant and Doug Martin joining Derek Carr, Jared Cook and Marshawn Lynch in offense while Tahir Whitehead also joins the franchise.
However, wide-receiver Michael Crabtree has found a new home in Baltimore, ending a three-year stint with Oakland.
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