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2005 NFL offseason

The 2005 NFL offseason.

A chronological guide to the transactions and decisions surrounding the 2005 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. February 23 · Free agency

    Drew Bledsoe reunites with Bill Parcells in Dallas

    Dallas signed the veteran quarterback days after Buffalo released him, reuniting Bledsoe with the coach who drafted him and giving a young roster a credible bridge at the position.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    41Free agencyFebruary 23, 2005From BUFBUFBLEDSOE11To DALDALBLEDSOE11Bledsoe reunites with ParcellsReleased by Buffalo, Bledsoe joined the coach who had drafted him first overall and became Dallas's bridge while its next quarterback developed unnoticed.Buffalo Bills → Dallas CowboysOpen offseason →

  2. March 3 · Trade

    Randy Moss gives Oakland a superstar receiver →

    The Raiders sent Napoleon Harris plus first- and seventh-round picks to Minnesota for Moss, betting that the league's most dangerous vertical receiver could revive their offense.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    00TradeMarch 3, 2005To LVLVMOSS—To MINMINHARRIS—20051STround asset2005PICKround assetRandy Moss to OaklandLV receives Randy MossMIN receives Napoleon Harris, 2005 1st-round pick · No. 7, 2005 seventh-round pick · No. 2194 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  3. March 10 · Trade

    Santana Moss and Laveranues Coles swap teams →

    Washington and the Jets exchanged starting receivers one-for-one. Moss immediately delivered a franchise-record receiving season and helped Washington return to the playoffs.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    00TradeMarch 10, 2005To WASWASMOSS—To NYJNYJCOLES—Moss–Coles receiver swapWAS receives Santana MossNYJ receives Laveranues Coles2 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  4. March 10 · Free agency

    Derrick Mason becomes Baltimore's reliable target

    Released by Tennessee in a salary-cap purge, Mason reunited with general manager Ozzie Newsome and became the most productive receiver of the Ravens' first two decades.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    42Free agencyMarch 10, 2005From TENTENMASON85To BALBALMASON85Mason becomes Baltimore's volume targetTennessee's cap reset made Mason available, and Baltimore added a polished route runner who already knew the division and general manager Ozzie Newsome.Tennessee Titans → Baltimore RavensOpen offseason →

  5. March 17 · Free agency

    Plaxico Burress gives Eli Manning a boundary weapon

    The Giants paired their second-year quarterback with a 6-foot-5 receiver whose size and postseason shot-making would become central to the franchise's next championship.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    43Free agencyMarch 17, 2005From PITPITBURRESS80To NYGNYGBURRESS17Burress gives Eli a championship targetThe Giants signed the 6-foot-5 receiver to grow with Eli Manning and create a matchup answer on the boundary.Pittsburgh Steelers → New York GiantsOpen offseason →

  6. April 23 · NFL Draft

    Alex Smith goes first while Aaron Rodgers waits →

    San Francisco chose Smith at No. 1, beginning one long quarterback story. Green Bay ended another when Rodgers fell to No. 24 and became Brett Favre's eventual successor.

    The complete draft board is preserved beside this moment →

    Draft board

    2005 NFL

    01
    1

    First overall selection

    Alex Smith

    San Francisco 49ers

    Open every pick