By AMEARA DITSCHE
Staff Writer
The time has come again, some fans dread it and some are looking to it hopefully, praying it brings some good to their favorite team: Free agent season. The players not renewing their contracts will soon find new homes. So far, this offseason has seen many drastic changes that have fans in uproar. Here are a few of the most noteworthy trades we have seen so far.
One of the biggest trades of the league is Odell Beckham Jr. who is leaving the New York Giants to play for the Cleveland Browns. Beckham is a wide receiver and one of the best players the Giants have ever had. He was traded for 1st and 3rd round draft picks as well as safety Jabrill Peppers. This came as a shock because two weeks prior, the Giants manager said in a press conference “We didn’t sign Odell to trade him.” With Beckham gone as well as the other players they traded or allowed to become free agents, the Giants not only have plenty of room to grow, but surely need to.
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded another famed WR, Antonio Brown. Brown’s contractual demands could no longer be met by the Steelers and both parties seemed to agree that trading him would be the best option for everyone. They received 3rd and 5th round draft picks in exchange for the player. Brown has spoken on the trade and says he is excited and ready for the change. In his last season, Brown has started to become less happy with the Steelers management and decided that while he had a good nine years with the franchise, his time there was coming to an end. His agent compared it to a divorce in a statement to ESPN.
The one that saddens me the most, Nick Foles has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after the Philadelphia Eagles let him become a free agent. Nick Foles was the Eagles second string Quarterback. Foles began playing more frequently over the 2017-18 season due to the downfalls of injury prone Carson Wentz. He was the QB that led the team to their first Super Bowl title. But with Wentz returning from injury the Eagles were left with a choice and ultimately chose Wentz. Foles deserved a first string role and the Eagles just weren’t willing to give that to him. He went somewhere he could have more playtime and money. The Jaguars could also certainly use the starpower he brings, since they were one of the AFC’s lowest performing teams last season.
The Eagles may have redeemed themselves among disgruntled fans with the return of DeSean Jackson. Jackson previously played with the Eagles from 2008-2013. He was traded with a 2020 draft pick in exchange for a 2019 sixth round draft pick. Philadelphia fans have been overwhelmed with nostalgia at Jackson’s return. His talent will work will with several Eagles players. Also, with Golden Tate leaving, the team was certainly in need of a powerful wide receiver.
The past few weeks have been exciting for the NFL. I brace myself everytime I hear the familiar ESPN tone sound from my phone. Many big name players are being uprooted and will experience a serious change in their life. Beckham for example, will be moving from New York to Ohio which will certainly change his daily routine. Cleveland may be a less favorable home compared to where he resides now, a point made by Giants fan Jack Angerame.
There is still some time left for players to be traded and the NFL draft is coming up in April, I’m sure we will continue to see some interesting moves.
