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We all know that crazy things happen in the offseason — but not this crazy. Usually it's just someone signing a mega-deal that's larger than last years mega-deal. But this offseason went over the top.
It all started when the Eagles traded away LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso, then the Bears, not to be outdone, traded Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets for a fifth round pick. We thought that was crazy, but the madness was just getting started.
The Saints would one-up everybody and trade superstar tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick to the Seahawks for Max Unger and a first-round pick. Then the Eagles would make their second crazy trade by trading Nick Foles, a 2015 fourth-rounder and a 2016 second-rounder for Sam Bradford and a 2015 pick that can be anywhere from a fifth-rounder to a 3rd rounder depending on how much playing time Bradford gets as an Eagle. The Saints replied to the Eagles move by trading away Ben Grubbs to the Chiefs for a fifth round pick. The Eagles are currently working on trading Evan Mathis. The Saints are also rumored to be trying to trade away Drew Brees and Kenny Stills.
Trades weren't the only crazy thing that happened this offseason, there were also a fair number of unexpected retirements at the start of free agency. Patrick Willis retired as a result of toe issues. Jake Locker and Jason Worilds retired before entering free agency. Worilds' retirement is especially shocking, as Around The NFL had him as the 10th best free agent in their top 101 free agents.
The Buccaneers have admitted that their 2014 free agent frenzy was a failure, as they released Dashon Goldson, Josh McCown, Anthony Collins, and Michael Johnson, the last three of them just after the first season as a Buccaneer.
We'll find out which teams made good and bad moves this offseason in January, but right now in March we're just watching and reacting.