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2006 NFL offseason

The 2006 NFL offseason.

A chronological guide to the transactions and decisions surrounding the 2006 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 12 · Free agency

    Edgerrin James takes Arizona's backfield

    The Cardinals paired the league's reigning rushing champion with a young receiver core led by Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, making a major veteran investment before opening a new stadium.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    44Free agencyMarch 12, 2006From INDINDJAMES32To ARIARIJAMES32James brings a champion's résumé to ArizonaArizona signed the reigning rushing champion to lead a backfield supporting young stars Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.Indianapolis Colts → Arizona CardinalsOpen offseason →

  2. March 14 · Free agency

    Drew Brees chooses New Orleans

    New Orleans trusted Brees's recovery from shoulder surgery and paired him with new coach Sean Payton, creating the quarterback-coach partnership that would redefine the franchise and the city's football identity.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    05Free agencyMarch 14, 2006From LACLACBREES9To NONOBREES9Brees and New Orleans rebuild togetherMiami passed over Brees because of his shoulder, allowing Sean Payton and the Saints to unite with a quarterback whose accuracy fit a new offense and a recovering city.San Diego Chargers → New Orleans SaintsOpen offseason →

  3. March 14 · Trade

    Miami bets on Daunte Culpepper's recovery →

    The Dolphins sent a second-round pick to Minnesota for Culpepper on the same day Brees chose New Orleans, creating a quarterback fork that would define both franchises for years.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    00TradeMarch 14, 2006To MIAMIACULPEPPER—To MIN20062NDround assetDaunte Culpepper to MiamiMIA receives Daunte CulpepperMIN receives 2006 2nd-round pick · No. 512 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  4. March 18 · Free agency

    Terrell Owens joins the Cowboys

    Dallas gave the polarizing All-Pro receiver another prominent stage, pairing him with Bill Parcells before Tony Romo's emergence changed the shape of the offense.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    45Free agencyMarch 18, 2006From PHIPHIOWENS81To DALDALOWENS81Owens lands on the rivalry's other sideDallas signed Owens after his Philadelphia tenure collapsed, placing one of football's most productive and polarizing receivers inside another NFC East rivalry.Philadelphia Eagles → Dallas CowboysOpen offseason →

  5. March 22 · Three-team trade

    John Abraham becomes Atlanta's premier pass rusher →

    Atlanta landed the franchise-tagged edge defender, the Jets received the pick used on Nick Mangold and Denver moved up to No. 15 in a rare three-team NFL construction.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    00TradeMarch 22, 2006To ATLATLABRAHAM—20063RDround asset2007PICKround assetTo NYJ20061STround assetTo DEN20061STround assetJohn Abraham to AtlantaATL receives John Abraham, 2006 3rd-round pick · No. 93, 2007 fourth-round pick · No. 121NYJ receives 2006 1st-round pick · No. 29DEN receives 2006 1st-round pick · No. 155 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  6. April 26 · Free agency

    Charles Woodson reinvents himself in Green Bay

    A muted market sent Woodson to the Packers, where he evolved from injury-questioned veteran into Defensive Player of the Year, champion and one of the defining defensive backs of his generation.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    06Free agencyApril 26, 2006From LVLVWOODSON24To GBGBWOODSON21Woodson reinvents himself in Green BayA quiet market sent the former No. 4 pick to Green Bay, where he became a versatile playmaker rather than merely a veteran corner.Oakland Raiders → Green Bay PackersOpen offseason →

  7. April 29 · NFL Draft

    Houston takes Mario Williams before Bush and Young →

    The Texans made Williams the surprise No. 1 selection, while New Orleans added Reggie Bush and Tennessee chose Vince Young. Later rounds produced several long-term franchise anchors.

    The complete draft board is preserved beside this moment →

    Draft board

    2006 NFL

    01
    1

    First overall selection

    Mario Williams

    Houston Texans

    Open every pick