NFL's Stove Hotter Than MLB's

Baseball's Hot Stove season was a total dud this year.  The good news is that big-name free agents have found teams to play for.  The bad news is that it took until now, and they've ended up getting much smaller deals (in terms of money or years, or both) than they would've under normal circumstances.  It has brought teams like the Phillies and Padres into the free agent mix, though.

Contrast that to football.  NFL teams have been so busy they've made my head spin.  And the craziest part is none of these moves are actually official yet.  The NFL's league year doesn't start until March 15, so teams technically can't make any roster moves until then.  Yet we've heard about so many players that will be traded or cut or sign somewhere that it makes you wonder if there will be any activity after March 15.

The guys getting cut isn't a surprise.  Teams normally inform their cap casualties in advance.  And those players usually know well before that, so they start negotiating with other teams, although their options are usually limited.  Maybe that's why we're seeing so many trades.  I can't recall an NFL offseason that featured so many trades!

It all started before the playoffs were even over when the Redskins announced that they were trading for Alex Smith.  Seeing as Kirk Cousins wasn't going accept getting the franchise tag again, it didn't surprise me that Washington was looking for a new solution at quarterback, even if Alex Smith being their choice came as a bit of a surprise (for a number of reasons).  And that got all the dominoes falling.

Now liberated from Washington, Kirk Cousins became the hottest free agent quarterback available, and you knew he'd attract plenty of interest.  What's interesting is that he's headed to Minnesota.  The Vikings already had to decide which of their three quarterbacks they were going to keep.  As it turns out, none of them.  Which put three more quality QB's on the market.

Case Keenum's headed to Denver, which was a smart move by the Broncos, who've been looking for a franchise QB since Peyton Manning retired.  Of course, it's a big risk, and Keenum's got a lot to prove.  But it's definitely a risk worth taking.  Sam Bradford, meanwhile, will take over for the retired Carson Palmer in Arizona.  As for Teddy Bridgewater, he's going to be at Jet (and he'll be the starter for at least a few games until they blame him for the team sucking and bench him).

Keep in mind that none of this is official.  And that there are a ton of quarterbacks that'll be available in the draft.  Although, seeing as quarterback is the most important position on the field, it's not surprising to see teams putting a premium on getting an established veteran.  

All signs were pointing towards Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles cashing in elsewhere, but not that doesn't necessarily seem guaranteed.  A lot of people are saying he might stay with the Eagles as Carson Wentz's backup.  That hasn't stopped the Eagles from making other moves, though.  They've been one of the most active teams in the NFL, including adding Haloti Ngata along the defensive line.  And this is the team that just won the Super Bowl mind you!

Cap space is usually the reason teams are active one way or another in the NFL offseason, and Philly has a lot of cap room, which is how they're able to do all of this.  One team that doesn't have cap room is Seattle.  As a result, the Seahawks had to release Richard Sherman and Jimmy Graham.  Sherman is signing with San Francisco pretty much just to spite the Seahawks, which I think is awesome!  That's as good a reason as any to sign with your former team's division rival.  Jimmy Graham, meanwhile, is headed to Green Bay, and the Packers made room for him by releasing Jordy Nelson.

Cleveland has also frequently popped into the conversation regarding a number of players.  The Browns also have two top-five picks.  So, if nothing else, it's going to be virtually impossible for them to go 0-16 again.

I'm curious to see what else is in store once free agency really kicks into gear.  Because there's been so much movement already that it seems like there isn't much left.  Of ESPN's top 100 free agents, 30 have already signed, including eight of the top 10 (which includes re-signings like Drew Brees with the Saints).

But at least it hasn't been boring.  Ordinarily we get a little bit of a lull between the Super Bowl and the start of free agency.  This year that certainly has NOT been the case.  Instead, we've had a whirlwind.  All of this before free agency even officially starts.