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The 2023 NFL offseason was jam-packed with significant deals and free-agent signings, and it might be tough to recall who faces are in new roles this season.
After 18 seasons with the Packers, it will unquestionably be strange for many supporters to see Aaron Rodgers in a Jets uniform. Additionally, at least 12 other teams, including the entire NFC South, will start a different quarterback in Week 1 than they did in last year’s opener.
In anticipation of Thursday’s season opener between the Lions and Chiefs, Sports Illustrated provides a convenient cheat sheet of the most notable players to switch teams this season.
Odell Beckham Jr. (From Rams in 2021 to Ravens)
Beckham missed the entire 2022 season as he recovered from an ACL injury he sustained in Super Bowl LVI. He experimented with several teams at the end of the previous season but ultimately decided to wait until the offseason to join a new club. The wide receiver is anticipated to be one of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s primary targets after joining the Ravens this season.
Dalvin Cook (From Vikings to Jets)
Dalvin Cook has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the four seasons he has played for the Vikings. He has now joined the Jets’ offense.
When he signed with the Jets on August 14, the former Florida State running back was among the last notable free agents to seal a new deal. Cook played for Minnesota for the first six years of his career, where he earned four Pro Bowl selections. Cook will presumably lead the Jets in carries while Breece Hall recovers from a knee injury.
Derek Carr (From Raiders to Saints)
Carr will now play for the Saints after spending the first nine seasons of his tenure with the Raiders. Carr led the Raiders to the playoffs for the last time in 2021, but the nine-year veteran has never won a playoff game. Carr will attempt to end the Saints’ postseason futility in a wide-open NFC South as the Saints seek their first playoff berth since 2020.
Jadeveon Clowney (From Browns to Ravens)
After two seasons with the Browns, Jadeveon Clowney now plays for the Ravens in the AFC North.
In March, the Cleveland Browns released Clowney, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. In mid-August, however, he was recruited by one of their AFC North rivals, the Ravens. Only two of the veteran pass rusher’s 43 career sacks were recorded during the 2017 season.
Trey Lance (From 49ers to Cowboys)
The former first-round selection was relegated to the 49ers’ third string last month before being dealt to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick as San Francisco sought to reduce its losses. Before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury last year, Lance started just two games. He is expected to compete behind Dallas’s starting quarterback Dak Prescott and reserve quarterback Cooper Rush.
Bobby Wagner (From Rams to Seahawks)
The veteran linebacker spent only one season with the Rams after beginning his NFL tenure with the Seahawks. Now Wagner returns to Seattle on a one-year contract. Wagner was selected to eight Pro Bowls and previously won a Super Bowl ring with Seattle.
DJ Moore (From Panthers to Bears)
The Bears were the first overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, but they traded it to the Panthers in return for Moore and four other draft choices. Moore led the Panthers in receiving yards with 888 and touchdown receptions with seven.
Adam Thielen (From Vikings to Panthers)
In March, Thielen inked a three-year contract with Carolina, leaving Minnesota after nine seasons. Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowler, tallied some of the lowest statistics of his career in 2016 with 716 yards and six touchdown receptions despite participating in all 17 games.
Aaron Rodgers (From Packers to Jets)
Rodgers will not play for the Packers this season after 18 years. Instead, the quarterback follows in the footsteps of Brett Favre by moving to the Meadowlands late in his career. The Jets’ acquisition of Aaron Rodgers was unquestionably the most significant trade of the offseason. Rodgers will make his first regular-season start for the Jets on Monday Night Football against the Bills.
Jimmy Garoppolo (From 49ers to Raiders)
In March, following Carr’s release, the Raiders inked Garoppolo to a three-year contract. Garoppolo was the 49ers’ reserve quarterback prior to last season, but he started 10 games due to Trey Lance’s season-ending injury. Before sustaining a season-ending foot injury, he compiled a 7–3 record in this span.
Baker Mayfield (From Rams to Buccaneers)
Last season, the former No. 1 overall decision played for both the Panthers and the Rams. Mayfield will now start for the Buccaneers after defeating Kyle Trask in the quarterback competition. Last season, Mayfield was 2–8 in his 10 starts.
Darren Waller (From Raiders to Giants)
After being transferred to the Giants in March, the former Raiders star will be a vital target for quarterback Daniel Jones. Due to a groin injury, the star tight end appeared in only nine games last season.
