There's no such thing as "perfect", but in this scenario I get to play GM for a day and pretend the offseason are perfect!
This series is dependent on every other team, so you won't see the same player be signed to multiple teams.
BUT, this won't be insanely detailed, and it will be mainly offense based. So, I will mention the salary cap and draft pick implications, but I'm not going to include an entire salary cap breakdown.
I'm always making changes to the past articles based on edits to the new ones, so if you want to check out the old ones the links are below!
That being said, let's breakdown the NFC North and what moves I think each team should be making in the 2022 off-season!
Chicago Bears
Last Year's Record: 6-11
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $26,244,726
2022 Draft Picks: 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 5th (2), 6th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Allen Robinson (WR), Akiem Hicks (DL), Andy Dalton (QB), Jimmy Graham (TE), Germain Ifedi (OT), and James Daniels (OL).
With Fields going into Year 2, it's time to start treating this team as one that is going to take a step up and fight for a wildcard spot. So in my own opinion, I think the Bears should add solid young talent, then the following year make the big moves.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The CHICAGO BEARS hired former Colts (OC) Matt Eberflus as their new HC, and former Packers QB Coach Luke Getsy as their new OC. So everything you can expect from Getsy can be found in this article here!
Free Agency; The Bears will likely have a lot of turnover this off-season, and some big names might be let go. So, if I'm the Bears, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Geno Smith (QB)
+ Emmanuel Sanders (WR)
+ Jakeem Grant (WR)
+ Zach Pascal (WR)
+ Will Dissly (TE)
- Andy Dalton (QB)
- Damien Williams (RB)
- Allen Robinson (WR)
- Marquise Goodwin (WR)
- Dameire Byrd (WR)
- Jimmy Graham (TE)
Letting Andy Dalton is an easy choice here and it saves about $10 Million in cap space. Geno Smith is a guy with a similar play style to Fields and will cost about 1/10th of what Dalton did (assuming Smith isn't in legal trouble).
Damien Williams was a nice signing for them last year, but Khalil Herbert really stepped into his own and should fair well as the handcuff to Monty. Plus Tarik Cohen should also be healthy enough to contribute in 2022.
Letting Arob walk is also an easy choice here, he was WAY underutilized last year and I'm sure that's something he won't want to return to. Between him and Dalton leaving, it adds about $25 Million back into their pockets that they can play with. Emmanuel Sanders is a nice veteran addition who can play alongside Mooney and be a leader in the locker room.
Jimmy Graham was also a nice addition at first, but now he's older and barely on the field, and now add him to the Dalton and Arob total and that's over $33 Million saved! In his spot you can add Will Dissly who is a respectable backup who can contribute as a 1B if needed.
With the Bear's newfound money from their big releases, it makes sense to retain Hicks, Ifedi, and Daniels. I think they should go after Stephon Gilmore and sign him to a two-year deal, that way he's locked in for the potential big run next year. Adding someone like Andrew Norwell to help shore up that line wouldn't be a bad idea either.
2022 NFL Draft; The Bear's don't have a 1st Rounder, but in the 2nd Round I have them selecting (WR) George Pickens, and in the 3rd Round I have them selecting (CB) Tariq Woolen!
So altogether, here's what the Bears' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Justin Fields
RB - David Montgomery
WR - Darnell Mooney
WR - George Pickens
WR - Emmanuel Sanders
TE - Cole Kmet
Ready to #BearDown into 2022?
Green Bay Packers
Last Year's Record: 13-4
2022 Estimated Cap Space: -$42,718,970
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (2), 5th (1), 7th (3)
Notable Free Agents; Davante Adams (WR), Kevin King (CB), Robert Tonyan (TE), De'Vondre Campbell (LB), Rasul Douglas (CB), Allen Lazard (WR), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR).
The Packers have a LOT of questions to answer this off-season including what to do with Adams, Rodgers, and to top it all off they are in cap space hell. So, lets answer them!
TRADE; I have the Denver Broncos trading a '22 1st Rounder, (2) '22 2nd Rounders, a '23 1st Rounder, a '23 2nd Rounder, and Jerry Jeudy to the Green Bay Packers for (QB) Aaron Rodgers and (WR) Davante Adams!
Moving both Adams and Rodgers is obviously not ideal in the short term, but in the long term, it gets them out of cap hell and sets them up very nicely for the foreseeable future. With a ton of cap space cleared and a boat load of picks, the Packers should (theoretically) find themselves in the big game sometime over the next couple years.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; Nathaniel Hackett among others have left Green Bay for jobs elsewhere, but LaFleur is still calling plays, so nothing is worthy enough to report here...
Free Agency; With Rodgers now gone, and the cap space still somewhat of a mess, this is going to be a TOUGH off-season. So, if I'm the Packers, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Marcus Mariota (QB)
+ Allen Lazard (WR)
+ Equanimeous St. Brown (WR)
+ Jordan Akins (TE)
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR)
- Randall Cobb (WR)
- Robert Tonyan (TE)
With Rodgers gone, Mariota can serve as a good backup to Love and even take over if Love can't get the job done.
Lazard and Brown are on exclusive contracts so it makes sense to have them stick around. Let Cobb and MVS explore option elsewhere to save extra money.
Jordan Akins isn't ideal, but he can manage until the Packers draft a TE next to him. Tonyan is recovering from a season-ending injury and may not be ready to be signed.
As for the rest of the team, I'm letting Kevin King walk, and if you are a Packers fan it's been a long time coming. I would like to retain Campbell (who had a fantastic year) as well as Rasul Douglas, who after a long career as finally found a suitable home!
2022 NFL Draft; We got a LOT to work with here, so let's start with Round One. In the 1st Round, I have the Packers taking (LB) Nakobe Dean and (WR) Chris Olave. In the 2nd Round, I have the Packers selecting (OT) Rasheed Walker, (DT) Devonte Wyatt, and (TE) Trey McBride. Finally, in the 3rd Round, I have the Packers taking (DE) Boye Mafe.
So altogether, here's what the Packers' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Jordan Love
RB - Aaron Jones
RB - A.J. Dillon
WR - Jerry Jeudy
WR - Chris Olave
TE - Trey McBride
It's not quite what you imagined, but #GoPackGo am I right?
Minnesota Vikings
Last Year's Record: 8-9
2022 Estimated Cap Space: -$16,040,779
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 5th (1), 6th (2), 7th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Anthony Barr (LB), Patrick Peterson (CB), Xavier Woods (S), Everson Griffen (DE), Greg Joseph (K), and Tyler Conklin (TE).
Man it feels like the Vikings have been in "win-now" mode for years just to continuously fall short of even a playoff appearance. They have an average amount of draft picks and aren't doing great as far as cap space..
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The Vikings have officially brought in a new coaching staff, starting with their new HC Kevin O'Connell. You can find my expanded thoughts on O'Connell here!
Free Agency; I'm not expecting the Vikings to do all that much in free agency other than try to keep some of their best players around. So, if I'm the Vikings, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Tyler Conklin (TE)
- Sean Mannion (QB)
- Dede Westbrook (WR)
- Chris Herndon (TE)
Offensively, there really isn't much to go over. Their biggest problem has been defense and not winning close games, and they aren't exactly huge buyers this off-season.
As for the rest of the team, Barr, Peterson, and Griffen should all be let go, with other guys in the draft ready to replace him. Jefferson is going to demand a pretty heavy contract in a few years, so the Vikings should be ready for that as well as other things.
2022 NFL Draft; In the 1st Round of the 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Vikings selecting (CB) Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner. Then in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds I have them taking (DE) Cameron Thomas and (DT) Travis Jones to help shore up that DL!
So altogether, here's what the Vikings' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Kirk Cousins
RB - Dalvin Cook
WR - Justin Jefferson
WR - Adam Thielen
WR - K.J. Osborn
TE - Irv Smith Jr.
Not much different at all, but at least that defense is in better and younger shape! #SKOL
Detroit Lions
Last Year's Record: 3-13
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $19,676,647
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (2), 2nd (1), 3rd (2), 5th (1), 6th (2), 7th (2)
Notable Free Agents; Josh Reynolds (WR), Alex Anzalone (LB), and Tracy Walker (S).
This is a team still trying to figure out their identity, and still figure out who their QB of the future is. I don't Imagine they will be buyers, but more so just keep adding young talent through the draft.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The Lions did fire Anthony Lynn, and promoted their former TE Coach Ben Johnson to the role of offensive coordinator. We don't know much about Johnson, but I expect him to run a similar offense to what we saw last year in Detroit.
Free Agency; As I mentioned before, I do not expect the Lions to be buyer in free agency, and I don't think Detroit right now is even a good spot where FAs would want to go anyway. So, if I'm the Lions, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ Josh Reynolds (WR)
+ Tre'Quan Smith (WR)
+ Kalif Raymond (WR)
+ Hayden Hurst (TE)
- Tim Boyle (QB)
I'm expecting the Lions to draft a QB at some point in this draft, so having Boyle won't ultimately be necessary.
Reynolds seemed to hit it off in an expanded role towards the end of last season, and he deserves the right at least to a one year prove it deal. Both Raymond and Smith are good depth pieces and backups.
Hayden Hurst is a great blocker and gives this offense flexibility to play two TEs who can not only catch but block very well for their great running attack!
As for the rest of the team, Alex Anzalone played well, so I would be trying to keep him around. While Tracy Walker really hasn't done enough to merit a stay in Detroit. I would also look to buy into some LB help with someone like Foyesade Oluokun!
2022 NFL Draft; In the 1st Round of the 2022 NFL Draft I have the Detroit Lions selecting (DE) Aidan Hutchinson and (QB) Matt Corral! In the 2nd Round, I have the Lions selecting (S) Daxton Hill! Then finally in the 3rd Round I have them taking (WR) Wan'Dale Robinson!
So altogether, here's what the Lions' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Jared Goff/Matt Corral
RB - D'Andre Swift
WR - Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR - Josh Reynolds
WR - Wan'Dale Robinson
TE - T.J. Hockenson
It's #OnePride and one goal heading into 2022!