The offseason is a time of hope; whether that’s the draft, free agency, or trades, it brings renewed optimism to every team. However, sometimes the moves teams think will put them on a championship path instead backfire. I wanted to highlight some of the more disappointing moves from this offseason.
The Patriots trading for A. J. Brown
The New England Patriots made the Super Bowl last season, but their offense was stymied not just in the big game but in the playoffs as well. So when the offseason came around, it only made sense for them to aggressively pursue a true number one receiver. Enter A. J. Brown, a former second-round selection by the Tennessee Titans and a Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles. Brown looked like the missing piece for New England to challenge for a championship.
He was disgruntled with how Philadelphia used him and became available as a result. The Patriots sent the Eagles a 2027 gift-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick in exchange for Brown. So far, Brown has appeared in only 3 games for New England. In that time, he’s managed just 9 receptions for 101 yards and zero touchdowns.
Now it’s been reported that Brown has a degenerative knee condition that has flared up, sending the Pro Bowl receiver to the injury report. One can assume the Patriots knew about the condition and took the gamble, but halfway through his first season with New England, that gamble looks foolish.
Rams Trading for Myles Garrett
The Los Angeles Rams made a blockbuster trade for reigning defensive end Myles Garrett. They sent defensive end Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick. To make matters worse, the move brought Aaron Donald out of retirement to form a fearsome duo.
Garrett would play the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers and record no stats while sustaining a left knee injury that put him on injured reserve. Donald and Garrett have yet to appear on the field together. Now the Browns sit at 5-2 while the Rams are 3-4.
The Vikings Signing Kyler Murray
This one is a bit under the radar, but I, for one, truly believed that Kyler Murray was going to be a great fit in Minnesota. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has earned a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, and I thought that if he can make Sam Darnold a solid starter, he will have similar success with Murray.
On the one hand, the Vikings are 6-0 and atop the NFC North; on the other, that has very little to do with Murray.
Murray is currently 5-0 as a starter but has only passed for 812 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Last week in the Vikings’ 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, he went 14 of 24 for 150 yards and 1 touchdown. Not exactly franchise-quarterback numbers, and surprisingly not as good as he was with the Cardinals. Murray in Minnesota is just a guy, and I doubt things would be much different if Carson Wentz were the starter.
So are there any other big moves that have turned out to be bad so far this season? Let me know in the comments.
