Who is the biggest 2022 NFL Pre-Season Winners?

With the NFL free agency period as well as the 2022 NFL Draft in the rear-view mirror, we set our sights on the start of training camp and preseason games in August. Since the Los Angeles Rams edged the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI, there has been a lot of shakeup in the league including blockbuster trades, free-agent signings, and retirements. 

Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson (potentially), Tyreek Hill, and Davante Adams will all wear different jerseys next season with Wilson and Adams leading the way as the biggest names switching teams. 

While some teams remained relatively the same, bringing back most of the core that they finished the 2021-22 season with, others tinkered slightly with their lineup and some went on a spree with trades, free agency, and the draft, increasing their positions in the football odds.

Tom Brady

He has retired and returned, retired and returned, and yet at the age of forty-four, Tom Brady still has the talent and ability to alter the championship dreams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With seven Super Bowl rings and three MVPs to his credit (among his countless accolades). However, it’s not just Brady himself that the Bucs benefit from, as the All-Everything QB brings with him several free agents in search of their first ring, including Russell Gage and Keanu Neal. 

With the return of Brady, the Bucs traded their fifth-round pick for Shaq Mason who blocked for Brady for five seasons in New England, and Logan Ryan, another former Patriots teammate, and two-time Super Bowl champion. While former Tampa Bay teammates Ndamukong Suh and long-time teammate Rob Gronkowski remain unsigned and in retirement respectively, it would come as no surprise to see one or even both back in Bucs colors at some point this season.

Denver Broncos

2016 was the last time that the Denver Broncos had a winning record and since that time they have gone through five starting quarterbacks. It’s not every day that a Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Fame QB becomes available. Fortunately for the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson wanted a fresh start and a trade out of Seattle. 

With Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr all piloting their respective teams in the AFC West, the Broncos took a major leap forward by trading for a player who could single handily make them a playoff and even championship contender in 2022. 

While they did lose three players and five picks in the swap, the Broncos have a core of young, skilled offensive players whom Wilson will connect with. If the offensive line can provide adequate time for Wilson to find his targets, fans in the Mile High City will be in for a wild ride this season.

New York Jets

The New York Jets have been AFC East bottom feeders for six of the past eight years and have not posted a winning record since 2015. All of that could potentially change in 2022. The additions of Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, a cornerback and the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, along with Jermaine Johnson II, a defensive end who the Jets selected with the twenty-ninth pick are likely to impact a defense that ranked last in the NFL in 2021. 

Offensively, the Jets picked up a new target for starting quarterback Zach Wilson with the selection of receiver Garrett Wilson with the number ten pick. Add in the free-agent signing of veteran tight end Ty Conklin and the Jets may have found a way to not suck this coming season and may challenge for a playoff berth. 

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride since winning the Super Bowl in 2017. After dropping out in the first round in 2018, the Eagles lost the Wild Card games in 2019 and 2020, failing to make the playoffs altogether thanks to a 4-11- 1 record in 2020. 2022 brings new hope to the City of Brotherly Love thanks to an offseason of decisions that may make the Eagles the top team in the NFC East. 

It may have cost the Eagles the 18th overall pick and a 4yr/$100 million contract, but the addition of a Pro Bowl wide receiver gives Jalen Hurts a prime target. Adding Hasson Reddick and James Bradberry give the Eagles two veterans who help elevate the team right away, while rookies Jordan Davis and NakobeDean will have a shot at making an impact right out of the gate. 

Los Angeles Chargers

It’s been three years since the Los Angeles Chargers were in the NFL post-season, but all of that is expected to change in 2022-23. With a large chunk of cap space available, the Chargers spent their money wisely. Adding outside linebacker Khalil Mack and cornerback J.C. Jackson to a defensive group that already included Joey Bosa, the Chargers now have a triple threat on defense. 

Offensively, the Chargers kept quarterback Justin Herbert’s targets intact, retaining Mike Williams and then adding two new faces through the draft and free agency in running back Isaiah Spiller and tight end Gerald Everett. 

While winning or losing in the offseason doesn’t always equate to capturing a Super Bowl ring, these five teams had the most impact away from the field and their offseason acquisitions will no doubt have an equally big impact on it when the 2022-23 season kicks off on September 8.