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2021 NFL offseason

The Stafford bet starts an arms race

Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff swapped teams, Carson Wentz went to Indianapolis and contenders became more willing to trade premium picks for immediate answers.

Open the full season →Every offseason by year

Why this window matters

#5 in the Athlore NFL offseasons ranking

Los Angeles won the Super Bowl immediately, while Detroit turned the return into the foundation of its own contender.

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. January 30 · Trade agreed

    Stafford and Goff swap franchises →

    Los Angeles committed two firsts and a third to upgrade at quarterback; Detroit took on Goff and the draft capital for a full reset.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    03TradeMarch 18, 2021To LARLARSTAFFORD9To DETDETGOFF1620213RDround asset20221STround asset+1 assetsStafford–Goff swapLAR receives Matthew StaffordDET receives Jared Goff, 2021 third · No. 101, 2022 first · No. 32 + 1 more5 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  2. March 17 · Trade

    Carson Wentz reunites with Frank Reich →

    Philadelphia sent Wentz to Indianapolis for conditional draft compensation after a difficult final Eagles season.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    24TradeMarch 17, 2021To INDINDWENTZ—To PHI20213RDround asset20221STround assetCarson Wentz to IndianapolisIND receives Carson WentzPHI receives 2021 3rd-round pick, 2022 conditional 2nd-round pick · became a first3 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  3. March 18 · Free agency

    New England launches a historic spending spree

    The Patriots guaranteed major money to Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Matthew Judon and others in a rapid roster reset.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    21Free agencyMarch 19, 2021From LACLACHENRY86To NENEHENRY85Henry headlines New England's spending spreeThe Patriots guaranteed major money to an accomplished receiving tight end during an uncharacteristically aggressive market opening.Los Angeles Chargers → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →22Free agencyMarch 19, 2021From TENTENSMITH81To NENESMITH81Smith gives New England a second tight-end betNew England paired Smith with Henry in an attempt to rebuild the multiplicity that once defined its offense.Tennessee Titans → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →23Free agencyMarch 19, 2021From BALBALJUDON99To NENEJUDON9Judon becomes the defensive payoffThe Patriots added Baltimore's versatile edge defender as the centerpiece of their front-seven reconstruction.Baltimore Ravens → New England PatriotsOpen offseason →

  4. Draft weekend · NFL Draft

    Trevor Lawrence goes first overall to Jacksonville Jaguars →

    Jacksonville Jaguars used the No. 1 pick on Trevor Lawrence. The complete 2021 NFL draft board preserves every selection and each available player profile.

    The complete draft board is preserved beside this moment →

    Draft board

    2021 NFL

    01
    1

    First overall selection

    Trevor Lawrence

    Jacksonville Jaguars

    Open every pick

  5. June 6 · Trade

    Julio Jones joins Tennessee →

    Atlanta sent its longtime star receiver to the Titans for a package led by a second-round pick.

    The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

    25TradeJune 9, 2021To TENTENJONES—2023PICKround assetTo ATL20222NDround asset2023PICKround assetJulio Jones to TennesseeTEN receives Julio Jones, 2023 sixth-round pickATL receives 2022 2nd-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick4 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →