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2001 NFL offseason

The 2001 NFL offseason.

A chronological guide to the transactions and decisions surrounding the 2001 NFL offseason.

Open the full season →Every offseason by year

In the order it happened

The transaction timeline

The draft, major signings, trades and roster decisions are ordered chronologically. Complete draft boards, trade packages and free-agent jersey changes are embedded at the moment they happened.

  1. March · Free agency

    Simeon Rice joins Tampa Bay's historic defense

    Rice added elite edge speed beside Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks, completing the pass rush that powered the Buccaneers' championship the following season.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    50Free agencyMarch 19, 2001From ARIARIRICE97To TBTBRICE97Rice completes Tampa Bay's pass rushThe Buccaneers added an elite edge finisher to a defense already built around Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch.Arizona Cardinals → Tampa Bay BuccaneersOpen offseason →

  2. April 20 · Draft trade

    Atlanta moves up for Michael Vick →

    The Falcons sent San Diego a package led by the No. 5 pick, a future first and Tim Dwight to select Vick first overall.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    00TradeApril 20, 2001To ATL20011STround assetDraftPICKround assetTo LACLACDWIGHT—2001PICKround asset20013RDround asset+1 assetsAtlanta moves up for VickATL receives 2001 first overall pick, Michael Vick draft rightsLAC receives Tim Dwight, 2001 fifth overall pick, 2001 3rd-round pick + 1 more6 original assets · 0 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  3. April 21 · NFL Draft

    San Diego turns the Vick return into Tomlinson and Brees →

    The Chargers used the acquired No. 5 pick on LaDainian Tomlinson and later selected Drew Brees, giving the draft-night trade rare star power on both sides.

    The complete draft board is preserved beside this moment →

    Draft board

    2001 NFL

    01
    1

    First overall selection

    Michael Vick

    Atlanta Falcons

    Open every pick

  4. Training camp · Season setup

    New quarterback timelines begin across the league

    Vick's arrival in Atlanta and the Chargers' two-pick haul created parallel franchise stories that lasted through the decade.